Decoding England's lowest all-out totals versus Sri Lanka in Tests
England were folded for 156 runs on Day 3 of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval. Notably, England were on top after having bowled SL out for 263 in their 1st innings after the visitors were 211/5 at one stage. Before that, the hosts managed 325 in their 1st innings. We decode England's lowest all-out totals versus SL.
81 - Galle, 2007
England's lowest score versus Sri Lanka in Tests is 81 clocked in the 3rd Test at Galle back in December 2007. Sri Lanka posted a mammoth score of 499/8d in their 1st innings before bowling out the Three Lions for 81. Chaminda Vaas claimed 4/28 with Paul Collingwood scoring 29. SL enforced a follow-on as England scored 251/6 to force a draw.
148 - Colombo (SSC), 2003
Back in 2003, England were folded for 148 in the 3rd Test held in Colombo during their tour of Sri Lanka. England scored 265 in their first innings before the Lankans scored a mammoth 628/8d. In their 2nd innings, England perished for 148, losing by an innings and 215 runs. Muthiah Muralidaran's 4/63 made the difference. Pacer Dilhara Fernando claimed 3/27.
156 - The Oval, 2024
Sri Lanka bowled England out for a paltry score of 156 in the 3rd Test of their 2024 tour. As mentioned above, the Lankans resumed the day on 211/5 before being bundled out for 263 after England scored 325 in their 1st innings. Lahiru Kumara's four-fer floored England. Jamie Smith scored a counter-attacking 67. Notably, seven England batters scored under 10 runs.
181 - The Oval, 1998
England were bundled out for 181 at The Oval during the 1998 Test series (only Test). The hosts started by posting 445 runs on the board. Graeme Hick and John Crawley smashed tons. Sanath Jayasuriya's 213 saw the visitors manage a score of 591. England were then bowled out for 181. Mark Ramprakash's 42 was the best score. Off-spinner Muralidaran claimed 9/65.
