The 26-year-old Pathum Nissanka has become the first Sri Lanka opener after Tilakaratne Dilshan in 2011 to hit a test hundred in England. He secured an unbeaten 127 in day 04 of the third test helping Sri Lanka to win their first test in 10 years in England.
Nissanka joined a list of elite visiting batters, including Don Bradman, Gordon Greenidge, and Graeme Smith, by scoring a hundred in the fourth innings of a Test victory in England. The century also helped Sri Lanka set a new Asian record for the highest successful chase in a Test in England.
Pathum Nissanka resumed play on the fourth day with Sri Lanka at 94-1 and his steady hand guided the team to chase the target of 219 runs. His second test century in just 107 balls.
Sri Lanka Openers with Test Hundreds in England
- Sidath Wettimuny at Lord’s in 1984
- Amal Rohitha Silva at Lord’s in 1984
- Sanathan Jayasuriya at The Oval in 1998
- Marvan Atapattu at Lord’s in 2002
- Russell Arnold at Old Trafford in 2002
- Michael Vandort at Edgbaston in 2006
- Tilakaratne Dilshan at Lord’s in 2011
- Pathum Nissanka at The Oval in 2024
Nissanka fought out in the first session along with Kusal Mendis in overcast conditions as the England bowlers were looking for an early breakthrough. Even though Mendis in overcast conditions the England bowlers were looking for early breakthroughs.
“It was a great opportunity to play in England and I enjoyed that innings. It was slightly difficult in the morning, but I had a positive mindset yesterday (Sunday) and went with that. I just wanted to play my normal game and I have done that,” said Nissanka.
Chasing a target of 219 runs, reached a total for the loss of two wickets before lunch on the fourth day, with Nissanka 127 runs not out and Angelo Matthews 32 runs not out forging a partnership of 111 runs, Sri Lanka secured a 8 wicket victory.
This is the fourth test win in England and the first since their last victory in 2014. However, England took the three-match series 2-1 after wins at Old Trafford and Lord’s.
