Sri Lanka's Historic Test Victory Against England at Headingley

Sri Lanka's Dramatic Win on the Final Day

In a breathtaking conclusion at Headingley, Sri Lanka etched their name in cricket history by securing a nail-biting victory with just one ball remaining. Shaminda Eranga delivered the decisive blow, dismissing James Anderson with the penultimate ball of the match, marking not only a historic Test win but also Sri Lanka's first-ever series triumph in England during a multi-Test series.

England's Early Dominance Shifts

Initially, the match seemed to favor England by the second day, with the home team appearing to have the upper hand. However, in a shocking turn of events, they crumbled, losing 8 wickets for a mere 87 runs, which dramatically shifted the momentum. This collapse allowed Sri Lanka to seize the opportunity, with captain Angelo Mathews leading the charge with a brilliant century, decisively turning the tide.

Dhammika Prasad's Impact on England's Collapse

The Sri Lankan resurgence was further fueled by seamer Dhammika Prasad, who bowled with precision and aggression, unsettling England's top order. Faced with a daunting target of 350 runs, the hosts found themselves in dire straits at 57 for 5, with their chances of survival dwindling.

Moeen Ali's Century Provides Hope for England

Despite the earlier collapse, England managed to extend the contest into the final day, largely due to Moeen Ali's determined maiden Test century. His resilient performance instilled hope in the home crowd, keeping England in the game even as wickets fell at the other end.

Sri Lanka Seals Victory with a Last-Minute Strike

In the end, Sri Lanka's perseverance paid off. With the match hanging in the balance, Eranga dismissed Anderson just before the stumps, triggering scenes of jubilation. This victory was not only a significant Test win but also a remarkable clean sweep for Sri Lanka on their tour, having already claimed victories in both the T20 and ODI series.