Ace Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka on Monday became the first opener in 13 years from the country to score a Test hundred in England, emulating the likes of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Michael Vandort. He became the first Lankan opener since Dilshan back in 2011 to score a century in England. His heroics helped Sri Lanka end a 10-year wait for a Test win against England.

Nissanka underpinned the chase with his second Test century, reaching three figures in 107 deliveries and finishing 127 not out as Sri Lanka got to 219 in the 41st over.

Nissanka joined an elite list of visiting batters, which includes the legendary Don Bradman, Gordon Greenidge and Graeme Smith, to score a hundred in the fourth innings of a Test in a winning cause.

Beginning Day 4 on 94/1 and needing a paltry 125 more runs to win, the Sri Lankans required two hours to complete the job clinically. The platform was built on Sunday when they skittled England for just 156 in 34 overs and were given a winning target of 219.

Nissanka, a very understated opener who struck 13 boundaries and two sixes, spread his arms wide and soaked in the applause inside a half-full ground after passing 100, then kissed his bat and looked to the sky.

The sole wicket to fall on Monday was that of Kusal Mendis (39), who pulled a ball from Gus Atkinson and saw Shoaib Bashir take a diving catch in the deep.

"It was a great opportunity to play in England and I enjoyed that innings. It was slightly difficult in the morning, but I had a positive mindset yesterday (Sunday) and went with that. I just wanted to play my normal game," Nissanka said.

Angelo Mathews was on 32* besides the opener at the end, with the pair putting on 111 runs in an unbroken partnership for the third wicket.

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