England and Sri Lanka will face off in the final Test of the summer at The Oval, the traditional venue for the season’s finale. Despite the limited challenge posed by Sri Lanka, England has dominated the series, aiming to complete a first summer sweep since 2004.
Gus Atkinson has emerged as a star for England, taking 33 wickets in five appearances, while Jamie Smith has solidified his position as wicketkeeper. The hosts have also handed a debut to 6ft 7in left-armer Josh Hull, who impressed in the series warm-up.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has struggled to live up to expectations. Despite flashes of resistance from Asitha Fernando and Kamindu Mendis, two first-innings collapses have left them with too much to do. Dhananjaya de Silva’s decision to bowl at Lord’s also backfired, putting an inexperienced bowling attack under pressure.
The Oval Test will be a chance for Ollie Pope to improve his average as Test captain, while Sri Lanka will be determined to avoid a whitewash. The pitch is expected to favor pace, with Sri Lanka opting for a four-man pace attack.
