England chase slice of history in final Test

Colombo – England hope to complete the rare feat of securing a 3-0 series sweep in Sri Lanka when Joe Root’s confident touring side take on the depleted hosts in the third and final Test today.

Ricky Ponting’s all-conquering Australian side were the first to win 3-0 in Sri Lanka 14 years ago, while a Virat Kohli-led India repeated the feat in August last year.

Having ended a 17-year wait for a series win in Sri Lanka, England will climb a place to second in Test rankings behind India, who they beat 4-1 at home this year, reversing a 4-0 away series loss to Kohli’s side at the end of 2016.

“Only two sides have won 3-0 here ... and they were both the number one side,” Root (right) told reporters this week.

“So it would give the guys a huge amount of confidence if we could carry the momentum, skill levels and smart nature with which we’ve played these first two Tests into the next one.

“It would be a nice follow-on to this tour to be going on and playing in India now. It’s a very difficult place to go and play, but we should have a good chance.

“It’s hard to say (how we would do), but the most important thing is that we’re on that upward curve.”

The hosts have been weakened by the loss of retired spin ace Rangana Herath and they will also be deprived of promising off-spinner Akila Dananjaya, who took eight wickets in the last match in Pallekele, including career-best figures of 6/115 in the second innings.

Dananjaya misses the Test to have his bowling action assessed in Australia this week after he was reported by match officials for a suspect action in Galle.

Sri Lanka will also be without regular skipper Dinesh Chandimal as he recovers from a groin injury he picked up in the series opener. Pace bowler Suranga Lakmal will continue to deputise as captain in his absence.

England have made two changes to their team with seamer Stuart Broad coming in for the rested James Anderson, while Jonny Bairstow replaces injured all-rounder Sam Curran, who is out with a side strain.

Wicketkeeper Bairstow, who missed the first Test due to an ankle injury, will play as a specialist batsman with Ben Foakes retaining the gloves after also impressing with the bat. –