Recently, the Sri Lankan cricket team defeated the England cricket team in the Oval Ground; this is really amazing. Though the hosts did clinch the series 2-1, this victory was crucial for the tourists, who have not registered a victory against England in Test cricket in over a decade.
Any cricket fan knows that an unbeaten century from Pathum Nissanka’s leading batting order led the Sri Lankan team to chase a simple target right with eight wickets in hand, which will remain in the history of Sri Lankan cricket for several years.
Sri Lankan bowlers laid the foundation for this remarkable chase by dismissing England for just 156 in the second innings. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis contributed, taking over from the bowlers as Sri Lanka gathered control in the match before stumps on the third day, Nissanka contributed and so did Kusal Mendis.
Pathum Nissanka’s Unbeaten Century
It was indeed a magnificent knock; Nissanka established himself in the middle and played a responsible knock of 127, giving special credit to this inning. It would be important to mention that he had a unique ability to express aggression with a significant amount of control, which was instrumental in their victory.
On the fourth morning, Chris Woakes almost got him leg before wicket, but the ball went just wide. Nissanka gave a stern look, as if to say, ‘Not today,’ and took charge of the game after that fleeting mishap.
During the course, Nissanka, who played a responsible knock, also made the right choices of strokes and continued to find the gaps, let alone the ability to rotate the strike.
His timely boundary-setting efforts and unwavering determination were instrumental in helping Sri Lanka secure a historic victory. That means his century was not only a personal victory, but it also effectively knocked England out.
England’s Struggle with the Ball
Unfortunately, England’s bowling could not rise to the occasion and put the brakes on the Sri Lanka charge. That said, the best bowlers on the day were Woakes and Gus Atkinson, but the latter could not apply pressure for long spells of the game.
Atkinson dismissed Kusal Mendis with a very fine bouncer, but this was not enough to change the match’s fate. After sending Mendis back to the pavilion, Nissanka and Angelo Mathews took charge and played an exemplary knock, which made England anxious.
Despite changing their bowlers and striving for the necessary breakthrough, Sri Lanka persistently advanced towards their target. As Nissanka and Matthew settled in, it became evident that the English team was losing the match.
Sri Lanka’s controlled approach
The atmosphere was serene as Sri Lanka pursued their target. Nissanka and Mathews went about their innings with a lot of resolve and used their feet superbly, besides finding the rough areas of the ground. Unlike England’s surrender in their second inning, they systematically chipped away at the target.
When Sri Lanka required 90 odd runs, England thought of creating pressure by bringing their main bowlers back into the attack. However, in reply, Nissanka and Mathews batted brilliantly, with even Nissanka hitting two successive sixes off Olly Stone. With these gestures, Sri Lanka assumed an overt aggression that could have easily foreclosed the game to England without any option as to how to respond.
A Win of Historical Significance
This match not only resulted in a Test victory for Sri Lanka, but also conveyed a message that Sri Lanka cricket remains a formidable force. Sri Lanka completing a decade-long series-winning streak over England in Test cricket was memorable, and this victory easily ranks as one of the best that Sri Lanka has tasted in the recent past.
This unbeaten century, like most players, will go down in history as one of the most magical chapters in Pathum Nissanka’s life.Nissanka’s innings were a perfect demonstration of how to go about chasing a total under pressure.
His neer-do-well personality and cool head, as well as his calculated aggression, played into his team’s well-known success. For Sri Lanka to look forward to future challenges, this win will undoubtedly be a great morale booster for the team.
Source Link: https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/131587/pathum-nissanka-ton-gives-sri-lanka-consolation-win