It’s been a great year for Nissanka as he leaves England at his best

Pathum Nissanka’s celebration of his second Test century was a familiar sight, yet it remained strikingly impressive. Helmet in one hand, bat in the other, arms wide open, he basked in the applause of nearly 10,000 spectators at the Kia Oval on Monday. His stance, reminiscent of Jude Bellingham’s, conveyed confidence and poise, as if to say, “You may have come for the final day of the English Test season, but you’ll leave remembering me.”

Nissanka emerged as Sri Lanka’s hero in the third Test, helping secure their first win at the Kia Oval since 1998, with a player born that very same year. His performance was so commanding that captain Dhananjaya de Silva didn’t hesitate to call him “the best batsman in Sri Lanka right now” during the post-match ceremony. His fourth-innings hundred not only etched his name alongside the likes of Don Bradman and Gordon Greenidge but also cemented his place in cricket history as the seventh overseas player to score a fourth-innings century in a victorious cause.

Nissanka’s unbeaten 127 was a masterclass in controlled aggression. His overnight split of 53 off 44 balls and 74 off 80 the following morning highlighted his ability to maintain composure while driving his team to victory. Despite the pressure, he remained calm throughout the challenging conditions, accelerating Sri Lanka’s pursuit of 219 with a flourish of boundaries.

The instructions were clear from interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya: “Play with freedom.” And Nissanka delivered. England may have taken the series, but Nissanka’s dazzling performance stung, showing them what measured, attacking cricket looks like.

Nissanka’s journey to this moment has been marked by steady development. His debut century in 2021 came after nearly six hours at the crease, a stark contrast to his 191 runs off 175 balls in this match. He now holds the unique distinction of being one of only nine batters to score fifties in fewer than 50 balls in both innings of a Test.

Despite injuries that sidelined him for two years, Nissanka’s evolution has been remarkable. His white-ball success, which saw him rack up six ODI centuries, has now translated into his Test game. His attacking style, sharpened by experience, was on full display on this tour, where his 26 boundaries were more than half of what he managed in his previous 15 Test innings.

In the end, Nissanka’s brilliant knock provided a fitting conclusion to a match that, at times, lacked excitement due to England’s approach. His century wasn’t just a triumph for Sri Lanka, but a new chapter in the career of a player who is only just beginning to reach his full potential.