Sri Lanka's strong performance on the third day of their Test match against England at The Oval puts them in a promising position to chase down 219 runs for victory. After struggling initially, their seam bowlers, particularly Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando, made significant inroads during England's second innings, dismissing the hosts for just 156 runs.
In the first innings, Sri Lanka scored 263 runs, with notable contributions from Dhananjaya de Silva (69 runs), Kamindu Mendis (64 runs), and Pathum Nissanka (64 runs). However, they fell short of England's first-innings total of 325, trailing by 62 runs at the start of their second innings.
On the third day, England's batting faltered, with only Jamie Smith making a notable impact, scoring a rapid 67 runs off 50 deliveries after they found themselves in a precarious position at 82 for 7. His performance allowed England to extend their lead significantly before they were dismissed for a modest total.
Sri Lanka then began their fourth innings with a solid start, reaching 94 for 1 at the close of play, with Nissanka carrying his bat on 53 not out. Although they lost captain Dimuth Karunaratne early, Kusal Mendis supported Nissanka effectively, keeping Sri Lanka well on track to secure a victory with 125 runs still required.
The match's momentum shifted primarily due to the effective seam bowling displayed by Sri Lanka, which capitalised on the favourable conditions. Vishwa Fernando, in particular, showed his prowess with inswing deliveries, managing to take three wickets, while Kumara took four, showcasing the strength of the Sri Lankan bowling attack.
With the conditions improving, Sri Lanka seemed poised to take control, aiming for a consolation win in what had been a tough series against England. The outcome now hinges on how well they continue their batting pursuit on the final day, needing 125 runs with nine wickets in hand.