DEAN WILSON on England captain’s Test match turnaround in Sri Lanka

JOE Root hailed the transformation of his team from “one-trick ponies” to Test cricket thoroughbreds after a history-making whitewash.

Root oversaw a stunning 3-0 series win, just the third away from home in English cricket history, thanks to a 42-run triumph yesterday in Colombo built around a final day assault from his spin kings.

And it was fitting that Moeen Ali and Jack Leach should both finish the series with 18 wickets apiece as part of a spin attack that claimed 49 of the 60 Sri Lankan wickets to fall.

Ben Stokes managed to take five wickets of his own with his wholehearted pace bowling to illustrate his outstanding allround abilities that also included nine catches, two run outs and two valuable half-centuries.

There were four centuries by England players to Sri Lanka’s none, with Keaton Jennings and Ben Foakes both excelling close to the bat in the field.

And with Root skippering the side with a touch of flair and the same positive sensibilities that he asked his team to play with, all bases were covered with a multi-talented and easily adaptable squad.

In an era where winning away from home has become a virtual impossibility, Root’s methods and his men have shown what is possible if you throw away the old rule book and do it your way. The last time England had a whitewash in a series of three Tests or more was in New Zealand 55 years ago. They won 3-0 there, too, with the third Test in March 1963.

“It’s been a fabulous tour from start to finish,” said Root. “I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved and the manner we’ve done it in. The way we’ve played has been exceptional and a great motivator to keep doing what we are, to keep looking to get better and drive each