Pathum Nissanka scripts these records with 127* in Oval Test
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka shattered a plethora of records with a match-winning hundred on Day 4 of the 3rd and final Test against England at Kennington Oval. He scored a majestic 124-ball 127* as SL comfortably accomplished the 219-run target. Notably, this series marked Nissanka's return to Test cricket after over two years. Here are the records he scripted with his stellar hundred.
A rapid ton for Nissanka
Although Dimuth Karunaratne (8) departed early, Nissanka continued to play his strokes in the run-chase. He took SL past 100 along with Kusal Mendis (39). Nissanka raced to his ton in the 35th over off just 107 balls. He returned unbeaten, having propelled the Lankans to a famous win alongside Angelo Mathews (32*). Notably, Nissanka also smashed a 51-bal 64 in the first innings.
Nissanka attains this feats
Nissanka brought up his maiden Test century in England. Overall, it was his second ton in the longest format. As per ESPNcricinfo, Nissanka now has the distinction of recording two fifty-plus scores at quicker than a run-a-ball in the same Test. Prior to this Test, Nissanka's last 50-plus score in this format was recorded against India in March 2022.
Fifth-highest score in this regard
As per Cricbuzz, Nissanka's 127* is now the fifth-highest score by a visiting batter in successful run-chases in England (Tests). He is only behind West Indies's Gordon Greenidge (214* at Lord's, 1984), Australia's Arthur Morris (182 at Headingley, 1948), Australia's Don Bradman (173* at Headingley, 1948), and South Africa's Graeme Smith (154* at Edgbaston, 2008).
Third-highest match-winning 4th-innings score for Sri Lanka
Nissanka recorded the third-highest score by a Sri Lankan in successful run-chases in Test cricket. He is only behind Kusal Perera, who scored 153* vs South Africa in Durban in 2019, and Aravinda de Silva's 143* against Zimbabwe in Colombo (SSC) in 1998. Mahela Jayawardene (123 vs SA) and Dimuth Karunaratne (122 vs New Zealand) are the only other Lamkan centurions on this list.
Century at 100-plus strike rate in successful Test chases
Nissanka now boasts the second-highest score among batters who scored centuries at a 100-plus strike rate in successful Test chases. He is only behind England's Jonny Bairstow, who made 136 off just 92 balls vs NZ in Trent Bridge in 2022. Australia's Justin Langer (122*), NZ's Kane Williamson (104*), and Australia's Matthew Hayden (101*) are the only other centurions on this list.
