Sri Lanka wrap up Test win to prove Pope not infallible

Ollie Pope admitted England “shot ourselves in the foot” as Sri Lanka eased to a dominant eight-wicket victory, while the hosts were left reeling from costly mistakes.

- SONIA TWIGG

The Test might have had an end-of-term or end-of-summer feeling, but that will not placate the thousands of fans who have dedicated their time and money to watch this side at the Oval.

To avoid defeat, England would have had to find great skill and resilience, having rarely needed both this summer despite five victories in five matches. Sri Lanka started the day 94 for one and just 125 runs from victory with nine wickets remaining and the result almost felt like a foregone conclusion on the final day, following the events of day three.

Pathun Nissanka scored his second Test century, as Sri Lanka knocked off the required runs with relative ease, while England’s bowlers struggled for pace and consistency in a match that might have felt like one too many.

Gus Atkinson was battling against a thigh injury sustained on the third day, and Josh Hull also had strapping on his thigh, but there was just one wicket to fall. Kunas Mendis was caught by a stunning diving catch from Shoaib Bashir on the boundary rope for 39, giving Atkinson another wicket.