ENGLAND’S hopes of an unbeaten Test summer came crashing down at the Oval as Pathum Nissanka’s unbeaten century handed Sri Lanka a deserved eight-wicket victory.

Eyeing a sixth straight win at home, and a first clean slate of wins at home since 2004, England were instead dealt a wake-up call.

The real damage had already been done with the bat, collapses of seven for 64 in their first innings and five for 26 in the second undermining England’s efforts, and an inexperienced bowling attack was unable to plug the gaps on day four.

Chasing 219 for their first win against England in a decade, Sri Lanka needed another 125 with nine wickets in hand and eased over the line in style.

Gus Atkinson made the solitary breakthrough this morning as Nissanka took centre stage with a classy 127 not out.

England may wonder how they got themselves in such a bind after reaching 261 for three on the second morning, Ollie Pope’s hundred seemingly setting strong foundations once again, but they will reflect on a handful of reckless dismissals from top-order players.