Sri Lanka closing in on historic Test victory over England

Sri Lanka are on the cusp of a historic win over England in the final Test of their three-match series, with just 125 runs required to win on Monday at the Kennington Oval in London.

The No.6-ranked side have defeated England only three times previously in away Tests, and not at all in the past decade.

Yet cricket bookmakers now put them at -1000 to win the third Test.

Sri Lanka will begin play on day four with nine wickets and ample time remaining as they seek to overhaul England’s target of 219.

The advantage did not always lie with the visitors, who conceded a first-innings lead.

England were in control after two days, putting on 325 in their opening effort before bowling Sri Lanka for 263.

However, disaster struck for the hosts on day three, when they collapsed to 82/7 following a fearsome spell by Sri Lanka in which Lahiru Kumara (4/21) and Vishwa Fernando (3/30) tore through their batting lineup.

English keeper-batter Jamie Smith gave the score a degree of respectability with his knock of 67, but his side were still rolled for 156 in just 34 overs.

This meant that Sri Lanka needed only 219 to win, of which they chipped away 94 runs for the loss of just Dimuth Karunaratne before stumps.

With Pathum Nissanka set on 53 and Kusal Mendis looking good for his 30 runs, the stage is set perfectly for Sri Lanka to spoil England’s party at home.

England were aiming to achieve a rare home-summer whitewash, having defeated the West Indies 3-0 and won the first two Tests against Sri Lanka.

Bookmaker Nags.bet now has them at long odds of +550 to pull off the unlikely victory.

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