Series whitewash has Root in raptures

– Skipper Joe Root (right) hailed England’s “complete team effort” yesterday after his team sealed a tense victory over Sri Lanka in the third and final Test to record their first overseas series sweep in 55 years.

In the face of stubborn Sri Lankan resistance, spinners Jack Leach and Moeen Ali took four wickets each to set up the 42-run win inside four days in Colombo. Needing 327 for an unlikely victory, Sri Lanka reached 284.

Leach trapped captain Suranga Lakmal lbw for 11 to trigger celebrations for England who have not won all the games in an overseas series of three or more Tests since Ted Dexter’s side won 3-0 in New Zealand in 1963.

It was the third time Sri Lanka have been whitewashed at home after India last year and Australia in 2004.

The third Test highlighted England’s pool of talent with Leach coming in as the third spinner with Ali and Adil Rashid, and

Colombo

Ben Foakes taking the wicketkeeper’s gloves but also scoring big runs.

“That’s been a big secret in our success – being able to bring different guys in, and pick a team that is going to take 20 wickets and score enough runs to put teams under pressure,” said Root.

“The experienced players have taken the extra responsibility. It’s been exceptional.,” said Root, who has set the target of overtaking India as world No 1 Test team.

“I knew we were capable of winning in these conditions, but to do it the way we have and perform as consistently as we have, shows the learning in the squad,” he said.

But Sri Lanka did not give up without a fight.

Kusal Mendis, who hit a gritty 86, and Roshen Silva, who made 65, put on 102 runs for the sixth wicket to launch Sri Lanka’s resistance campaign on a turning wicket.

No 11 Malinda Pushpakumara also gave England a scare with his unbeaten 42 off 40 deliveries, lifting the hosts from 226/9 and raising hopes of a miracle.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Foakes, who hit a century on debut in the opener in Galle, made an unbeaten 36 in the second innings.

He was named Man of the Series for leading the batting chart with 277 runs including a ton and a half-century. –