Skipper hails his ton hero

Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva said Pathum Nissanka (above) had proved himself the “best batsman” in the country aft er the opener’s superb century at the Oval helped the team end their 10-year wait for a Test win over England.

Nissanka made 127 not out as Sri Lanka cruised to the target of 219, before lunch on the fourth day as they won the third Test by eight wickets. England took the three-match series 2-1 aft er victories at Old Trafford (by five wickets) and Lord’s (by 190 runs).

The victory was a significant moment for Sri Lanka whose last Test-match win over England was a 100-run success at Headingley back in 2014.

“This is one of the happiest moments in my career and my life,” said De Silva.