We must maintain high standards right through 2021: Root
JOE Root believes his England side have set down a marker for the challenges ahead in 2021 after starting the year with a decisive first Test victory over Sri Lanka in Galle.
England’s schedule over the next 12 months represents a mouth-watering set of assignments, with home and away series against India, a likely visit from World No.1s New Zealand and an Ashes trip next winter all on the cards.
And they inked an early win into the calendar by sealing a seven-wicket success over Sri Lanka, built around a double century from Root, a combined haul of 14 scalps from spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess and, eventually, a calm day-five pursuit of their 74-run target.
At 14 for three on the fourth evening, there was still room for some old doubts to creep in, with the ball spinning dramatically and fielders crowding around the bat.
But they were put to bed by the returning Jonny Bairstow and debutant Dan Lawrence, who quelled the comeback before finishing the job yesterday morning.
The pair finished with a stand of 62, leaving the tourists to celebrate a fourth consecutive overseas win following three in South Africa last winter — something they last managed in 1957.
England have also won their past five Tests in Sri Lanka, mastering unfamiliar conditions on an island where they have previously come out on top three times in their first 12 attempts.
“We’ll take a lot of heart from the way we’ve gone about this game,” said Root.
“If we keep learning from this game, from the good things and also the mistakes that we’ve made, we will be very hard to beat.
“It’s really important that we started off strong this winter, and really pleasing in the manner we have done it. There will be bigger challenges throughout the winter — and beyond that too — but we are going in the right direction.
“I’m really proud and pleased with the way we’ve started here and how we’ve gone about performing away from home recently.
“Look back at a couple of years and our record away from home was very poor.
“For us to have really turned that round is testament to the group of players.”
With the game taking place behind closed doors due to coronavirus restrictions, there was just one England fan able to enjoy the victory live, former web designer Rob Lewis, who has remained on the island for 10 months since the initial series was postponed.
Upon reaching his double hundred, Root gave him a wave as he looked on from Galle Fort and again sought him out at the conclusion.
“It’s an incredible story. All of the guys really appreciate him being there,” said Root.
“He was almost a beacon for everyone at home watching on the screens.
“At the end of the game I managed to have a little conversation with him over the phone.
“It’s a really interesting story and it was lovely for him to enjoy that moment with the rest of the group.”