Published: Nov 26, 2018, 04:13 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 26, 2018, 04:13 PM (IST)
Sri Lanka were handed a 3-0 whitewash after England registered a comprehensive 42-run win against the hosts on day four of the third Test at Colombo on Monday. Not many thought that the match would go the distance on the fourth day, but thanks to Malinda Pushpakumara and Sri Lanka captain Suranga Lamkal, who stitched a 58-run stand for the last wicket after Kusal Mendis and Roshen Silva kept the Islanders in the hunt with century partnership for the sixth wicket, Sri Lanka were able to stretch the result to the last session.
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England have registered a series sweep away from home after 56 years. What tops this win was the spinners’ role in the series, having taken 100 of the 116 wickets in the series.
Spinners Jack Leach and Moeen Ali claimed four wickets each to help bowl out Sri Lanka, chasing 327 for victory, for 284. It was Leach, who got Lakmal trapped lbw for 11 to trigger celebrations for England.
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“I expected a close game anyway. There were a few small mistakes that cost us big. We have to rectify those small things, looking to do that in the future. Everybody did their best,” Lakmal said after the match.
