THE OVAL — England’s quest for a first perfect Test summer in 20 years went up in smoke as Sri Lanka held their nerve to chase down 219 in the series finale at The Oval.

The tourists went into day four needing just 125 more runs to gain their first Test win in England for a decade. And despite losing Kusal Mendis early on, they eased to victory by eight wickets thanks to a wonderful unbeaten 127 from Pathum Nissanka.

England were aiming for a sixth victory from six Tests heading into this final match. But their profligacy with the bat, losing their final 17 wickets across both innings for 220 runs, cost them the chance to become the first England team win every Test of a home summer since 2004.

They still won this series 2-1. Here’s how England’s players rated across the three Tests.

Ben Duckett – 4/10

186 runs @31

One half-century in six innings wasn’t quite good enough alongside makeshift opening partner.

Dan Lawrence – 2/10

120 runs @20

What else did England expect asking a middle-order batter to open? Experiment did not work.

Ollie Pope – 4/10

191 runs @31.83

Century in final Test in vain. Four single-figure scores in six innings and another of 17. Captaincy not up to it either.

Joe Root – 8/10

375 runs @75

Won England series opener with ice-cool nerve in Manchester chase before twin centuries at Lord’s. Imperious before final Test.

Harry Brook – 4/10

180 runs @30

Got worse as the series went on. Rare trough for brilliant batter who may be feeling effects of fatigue.

Jamie Smith – 7/10

280 runs @46.66

Maiden hundred in Manchester and did his best to keep his team in game at The Oval. Not perfect with gloves but had a fine summer.

Chris Woakes – 8/10

13 wickets @19.30

New leader of the attack did his job again but was unable to work final-day miracle at The Oval.

Gus Atkinson – 8/10

12 wickets @27.41

Golden first summer for the seamer with 34 wickets overall at 20.17. Century and final-day five-fer at Lord’s the highlight.

Matthew Potts – 6/10

5 wickets @29.60

Bowled well at Lord’s after poor start to the series. Probably deserved more wickets but steady return to team.

Olly Stone – 7/10

7 wickets @29.42

Positive return for the quick after three years away from Test cricket. Looks a lock for winter and beyond – if he stays fit.

Josh Hull – 5/10

3 wickets @30.33

Debuted at Oval and despite bowling well for his wickets, drop of Dhananjaya on day two proved costly.

Mark Wood – 7/10

2 wickets @33.50

Only played one Test before injury struck. His express pace in Manchester applied pressure others profited from.

Shoaib Bashir – 4/10

6 wickets @48.50

Struggled to impose himself in this series after final-day heroics against the West Indies at Trent Bridge earlier in the summer.