Sanath Jayasuriya reminisces Sri Lanka's greatest Test wins in England
Sanath Jayasuriya, the interim head coach of Sri Lanka, has praised the team's recent Test victory against England at The Oval. He compared it to their iconic win from 1998 at the same venue, where he played a pivotal role by scoring a double-century in the first innings. However, Jayasuriya emphasized that the current team achieved their victory under more challenging conditions.
Jayasuriya highlights differences in playing conditions
In the post-match conference, Jayasuriya highlighted the differences in playing conditions between the two victories. The 1998 win was achieved on a dry pitch under clear skies, while the recent triumph was secured on a green-top amid cold and cloudy weather. He commended the current team for their performance, heaping praise on the fast bowlers, who shared 18 wickets among them.
Jayasuriya praises fast bowlers
Jayasuriya lauded the exceptional efforts of the fast bowlers, who were instrumental in securing the victory. He stated, "It's the first time we went with four fast bowlers, and we went with that because of the conditions here, and all of them went beyond 100% in their efforts." He also praised Lahiru Kumara for his attitude and excellent line and length bowling.
Jayasuriya acknowledges young talents' contributions
The interim coach also acknowledged the contributions of young talents like Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, who scored Sri Lanka's only centuries in the series. He particularly commended Nissanka for his aggressive play at The Oval. Jayasuriya stated, "Pathum couldn't play Tests for a few years because of injuries, but he's been doing well in T20s and one-dayers."
Sri Lanka script history at The Oval
Sri Lanka beat England in the third and final Test at the Kennington Oval in London on September 9, 2024. The Lankans claimed their maiden Test win against England in over a decade. The visitors earned a famous win on Day 4 after chasing down 219, with Pathum Nissanka scoring a ton for them. This is now the highest successful run-chase by an Asian team in England in Test cricket.
