Sri Lanka’s stunning win against England at The Oval: Another false dawn?

Sri Lanka completed a successful fourth-innings chase at The Oval on Monday, marking only the fourth time the island nation has secured a Test match victory in England.

The 2024 tour of England highlighted Sri Lanka's rising stars, particularly Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, who were the only Sri Lankans to score centuries in the series, despite the team losing 1-2.

Nissanka’s resurgence in Test cricket

Nissanka was especially dominant at The Oval, smashing 64 off 51 in the first innings and leading the chase with an unbeaten 127 off 124 balls in the second. His fourth-innings century in England was the first ever by a Sri Lankan, placing him among an elite group of players who have scored such centuries at The Oval, including legends like Don Bradman and Graeme Smith.

Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka celebrates reaching his century during the 3rd Test Match between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval.Reuters

Since his debut in 2021, Nissanka has steadily emerged as a key figure for Sri Lanka, becoming the first Sri Lankan in two decades to score a century on Test debut, achieved in challenging conditions against the West Indies. While his 103 off 252 balls in that match demonstrated his composure, it’s in white-ball cricket that Nissanka has found most success.

After two years on the sidelines due to competition from established players like Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis, Nissanka was finally recalled for the England Test tour, making his mark when the top-order faltered. His century at The Oval is now seen as the start of what could be a remarkable all-format career for Sri Lanka. At 26, he already boasts impressive averages in ODIs (43.88) and Tests (44.35).

Kamindu Mendis also shone during the series, amassing 267 runs, including two fifties and a century, while batting in the lower order.

Sri Lanka's pace attack, featuring Asitha Fernando, Milan Rathnayake, Vishwa Fernando, and Lahiru Kumara, was crucial to their Oval win, sharing 18 wickets across the match.

Rathnayake, making his debut in the series, impressed with both bat and ball, while Asitha Fernando earned praise from fast-bowling coach Aaqib Javed, who sees a bright future for him in Sri Lankan cricket.

Oval 1998 or 2024?

Sri Lanka's interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya (right) supervises a training session.ICC

Though Sri Lanka's most famous win at The Oval remains their 1998 triumph, Sanath Jayasuriya, a key player in that match, and their interim coach noted that the 2024 victory came under much tougher conditions.

"About 27 years ago we won here, under Arjuna [Ranatunga]. Murali [Muthiah Muralidaran] got about 16 wickets, I got a double-hundred, Aravinda [de Silva] got a 150," Jayasuriya said. "It's a place we'll never forget - The Oval.

"But these guys played in different conditions altogether. It was tough conditions, with the grass, the weather, and everything was cloudy and cold. All credit to these boys. The fielders fielded well and the batsmen took responsibility in the second innings."

Sri Lanka's inconsistent journey

Despite this historic win, Jayasuriya, well aware of Sri Lanka’s ups and downs, stopped short of calling it a turning point, given the team’s historical inconsistency.

Sri Lanka has managed notable achievements over the past decade, such as winning Test series in England and South Africa—something no other Asian side has done.

Perera and Fernando added 78 for the final wicket against South Africa in Durban in 2019.AFP

Memorable individual performances, like Angelo Mathews' 160 in Leeds in 2014 and Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 153 in a fourth-innings chase in South Africa in 2021, have showcased Sri Lanka's potential.

However, the careers of Mathews and Perera also reflect the unfulfilled promise of Sri Lankan cricket. Mathews has struggled with injuries and the burden of captaincy, while Perera has been unable to consistently build on his Durban heroics.

Sri Lanka’s cricketing journey has been plagued by inconsistency, similar to Pakistan, with their international schedule often dictated by other teams and economic challenges limiting opportunities.

Administrative instability and frequent changes in coaching staff have further hindered their progress. However, they continue to deliver moments of brilliance, though they have struggled to maintain long-term success.

The question remains whether this win at The Oval will be the beginning of a consistent upward trajectory for Sri Lanka or remain another fleeting moment of glory.