Sri Lanka are on the cusp of recording a remarkable win at the Kennington Oval in the third and final game of the ongoing Test series.
The Lankan Lions may be 2-0 down in the ongoing series, but could well take something back home with them, from this dead-rubber in London. Sri Lanka are just 125 runs away from recording a consolation win.
England posted 325 runs in their first innings, courtesy of Ben Duckett's 86 and a captain's knock from Ollie Pope (157). Half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka (64), Dhananjaya De Silva (69), and Kamindu Mendis (64), led Sri Lanka to a 263-run total.
Though they led by 62, England were bundled for 156 in their second innings. Chasing 219, Sri Lanka are 94-1 at the end of the third day. With nine wickets in hand and 125 to chase, the visitors could script an upset at the Oval.
But when did Sri Lanka last beat England in England? Let's find out!
When did Sri Lanka last win a Test match in England?
Sri Lanka last won a Test in England, a decade ago in 2014. The Lankan Lions beat the hosts at the Headingley Stadium in the second-match of the two-match series.
The win in Leeds gave Sri Lanka their only Test-series win against England in England. After drawing the first match at the Lord's, the visitors recorded a 100-run win to clinch the bilateral series.
What happened in the ENG vs SL 2nd Test at Leeds in 2014?
The Asian side scored 257 runs in their first innings, with Kumar Sangakkara scoring a much-needed 79-run knock. In response, England took a healthy 108-run lead going into the second half of the game.
Half-centuries from Sangakkara (55) and Mahela Jayawardane (79), and a captain's innings by Angelo Matthews (160) saw the visitors post a 456-run total, which meant England had to chase 350.
England were then bundled for 249. Dhammika Prasad's iconic 5-fer, coupled by Rangana Herath's three-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka clinch the win in Leeds.
Sri Lanka's Test record in England
Sri Lanka have played nine Test series in England so far, before the ongoing three-match series. England has rarely been a happy hunting ground for the Lankan Lions. Playing 20 matches across all series (excluding the third Test at Oval), the visitors have won just three games.
A win at the Oval would give Sri Lanka their fourth-ever Test win on English soil.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win% | Loss% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20* | 3 | 7 | 10 | 15% | 50% |
