Sri Lanka fought back strongly as England were 156 all out in the second innings where pace duo Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando bowled superb spells to take bowling honours in the third day of the third Test played at Oval, London yesterday.
Sri Lanka chasing a winning target of 219 runs were 94 for 1 wicket with 125 runs more to win with two days to spare.
Opener Pathum Nissanka once again came to the fore with scoring unbeaten 44 balls 53 with 7 fours to complete his second half century of the match while Kusal Mendis was remaining 30 in 25 balls with 6 fours added unbroken 55 runs second wicket stand to build a good foundation. Earlier England in their second innings were struggling 82 for 7 wickets but wicket keeper Jamie Smith stroked brisk knock of 67 in just 50 balls with 10 fours and a six added fighting 50 runs 8 wicket partnership with Olly Stone to make 219 runs winning target for Sri Lanka.
Lahiru Kumara the day hero bowed well to pick 4 for 21 while good supporting role from Vishwa Fernando 3 for 40 and Asitha Fernando with 2 for 49 to restrict England for 156 all out three overs after tea. Sri Lanka paceman did remarkable come back to get good position on the third day looking to get victory today with 9 wickets in hand.
Lankan wicket keeper Dinesh Chandimal had to be helped off the field after diving to stop a wayward Kumara delivery down the leg side to Gus Atkinson, apparently hurting his lower back in the process and leaving Nishan Madushka to take the gloves from 18th over of the innings.
Two early wickets of Ben Duckett (7) and skipper Ollie Pope (7) at the second innings gave Sri Lanka expectations as England extended their lead to 97 runs at lunch on the third day of the third Test at The Oval, London but rain interrupted the game several times to break rhythm of the game.
Sri Lanka continued their first innings with 211 for 5 wickets after good recovery (93 for 5) from skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis both completed fifties end of the second day but none of them continued the innings to reach three figure mark yesterday. Opener Pathum Nissanka scored a brisk knock of 51 balls 64 and Sri Lanka were all out for 263 before lunch with England had a lead of 62 runs. Dhananjaya was first to out yesterday scoring 69 in 111 balls with 11 fours while Kamindu Mendis once again had a fine innings of 91 balls 64 with 7 fours and this pair added superb 127 runs 6 wickets stand.
The debutant 20-year-old left arm paceman Josh Hull and Olly Stone did most of the damage claiming three wickets each while Chris Woakes took 2 for 42 in his 13 over spell.
