Pathum seals memorable Oval Test win

Rex Clementine in London

Recalled to the Test side after a hiatus of two years, Pathum Nissanka made his comeback a memorable one helping Sri Lanka to secure a rare Test match win at The Oval yesterday. Chasing a target of 219, Sri Lanka still required 125 runs with nine wickets in hand yesterday morning and with conditions overcast, England believed that they could pull off the game. But Pathum Nissanka’s chanceless knock put an end to those hopes.

Sri Lanka romped home to an eight wicket win before lunch on day four doing it in white ball style going at 5.4 runs an over.

Nissanka had smashed the bowling to all parts the previous night to reach his half-century less than run a delivery, but with the ball seaming around yesterday morning, he was more cautious providing the bowlers the respect they deserved. But once he reached the milestone and with victory in touching distance he cut loose playing beautifully.

England tried to bounce him out and Nissanka took the fine-leg man on hooking the ball.

There were a few questions asked as to why Pathum did not feature in the opening Test at Old Trafford. The reason seems to be that he had a few technical glitches to work on and once they were sorted, he was given the green light.

There are few batters in world cricket who go about the business gracefully with those elegant drives and solid defense. Pathum is one of them. But he’s no one-trick pony as he is quite capable of playing the cross batted shots too be it the pull or the cut.

Kusal Mendis batted well too but when he fell with the total on 108, there were a few doubts as to whether Sri Lanka could still finish this off.

Then came Angelo Mathews bringing with him all his experience and he ensured that England didn’t get another sniff in the game.

Mathews and Nissanka added 111 runs for the second wicket and appropriately Nissanka brought the winning runs by cutting Shoaib Bashir wide off the backward of point fielder to the boundary.

Nissanka finished unbeaten on 127 that came off 124 balls with 13 fours and two sixes. Mathews was on 32 off 61 balls with three fours.

Nissanka was named Man of the Match. Kamindu Mendis was declared Player of the Series ahead of Asitha Fernando.

This is now the highest successful run chase by an Asian team in England. Pakistan had chased down 180 at Headingly in 2010.

from The Island https://ift.tt/Wf1Tl6d