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Oval 1998 or Oval 2024 Jayasuriya chooses between two great Test wins
Oval 1998 or Oval 2024 Jayasuriya chooses between two great Test wins
The interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya has overseen two Sri Lankan victories at The Oval against England.
Sri Lanka's famous win against England at The Oval in 1998 is still well-remembered, but the team that won the third Test of their 2024 tour on Monday faced tougher conditions. Sanath Jayasuriya, who played a key role in the 1998 victory, believes this. He scored 213 runs in the first innings, 24 not out in the second, and bowled 39 overs of left-arm spin.
As the interim coach for the 2024 win at the same venue, Jayasuriya praised the fast bowlers. Unlike the dry and sunny conditions in 1998, the 2024 victory came on a green pitch with cold and cloudy weather.
Jayasuriya adds that for 27 years their team won here, under the leadership of Arjuna [Ranatunga] in which Murali [Muthiah Muralidaran] knocked out 16 wickets, got double-hundred, whereas Aravinda [de Silva] got 150.
But the players were different this time as the conditions were different as it was tough conditions, the grass and weather weren’t supportive and everything was cloudy and cold. But the boys did well and the batsman was amazing in the second innings.
Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers were the main reason for their victory, taking 18 wickets between them. Asitha Fernando took three, Milan Rathnayake got four, Vishwa Fernando took five, and Lahiru Kumara took six.
Jayasuriya mentioned that it was the first time they used four fast bowlers because of the conditions, and all of them gave more than 100%. He praised their second-innings performance, where they bowled out the opposition in under 35 overs for just over 150 runs.
Jayasuriya praised Lahiru Kumara for his attitude and excellent line and length. He emphasized that this is the kind of cricket they need to play.
He also highlighted Asitha Fernando's consistent performance throughout the series, Rathnayake's impressive bowling as a newcomer, and Vishwa Fernando's crucial second-inning performance.
The series also highlighted the emergence of young talents in Sri Lanka. Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka scored Sri Lanka's only centuries in the series. Nissanka was particularly aggressive at The Oval, scoring 64 off 51 balls in the first innings and leading the chase with 127 not out off 124 balls in the second innings.
Jayasuriya praised Nissanka, noting that despite injuries keeping him out of Tests for a few years, he has performed well in T20s and one-dayers. He appreciated Nissanka's natural game, which also allowed his teammates to play freely.
Kamindu Mendis was Sri Lanka's top batter, scoring two fifties and a century, totalling 267 runs for the series while batting at No. 7 and 8. Jayasuriya commended Kamindu for his mature batting in pressure situations.
Milan Rathnayake, who debuted in the first Test, took 10 wickets in the series and contributed with the bat, scoring 72 and 43 in different innings. Jayasuriya highlighted Rathnayake's all-round abilities, noting that while he was initially stiff, he improved and relaxed as the series progressed. He emphasized the need for a seam-bowling allrounder in the future.
England 2nd innings
Sri Lanka 2nd innings
The Oval Test, August 27 - 31, 1998
England : 445 & 181
Sri Lanka : 591 & 37/0 (Target : 36)
Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets
England 1st Innings
England 1st Innings
Graeme Hick : 107
John Crawley : 156
Muthiah Muralidaran : 7/155
Sri Lanka 1st Innings
Sanath Jayasuriya : 213
Aravinda de Silva : 152
Angus Fraser : 3/95
England 2nd innings
Mark Ramprakash : 42
Muthiah Muralidaran : 9/65
Sri Lanka 2nd innings
Sanath Jayasuriya : 24*
Angus Fraser : 0/19
Player of the Match : Muthiah Muralidaran
Player of the Match : Muthiah Muralidaran
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