Root delighted to start busy year with a resounding win
JOE ROOT believes his England side have set down a marker for the challenges ahead in a busy 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 to Australia all on the cards.
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.
Jonny Bairstow and debutant Dan Lawrence wrapped up victory with a stand of 62, leaving the tourists to celebrate a fourth consecutive overseas win follow
If we keep learning from the good things and the mistakes we will be very hard to beat
ing three in South Africa last winter – a feat they last managed in 1957.
‘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 – but we are going in the right direction.
‘Look back 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.’
The series concludes with Friday’s second Test. England will spend the next four nights in the same hotel before returning to renew battle at the same ground.
They have been served notice it is likely be a tougher ask second time around, with the hosts raising their game to make 359 in the second innings following a selfinflicted 135 all out on day one.
Moeen Ali could yet come into the team, with Root revealing the all-rounder will be under consideration after being given the all-clear following coronavirus.
‘With Mo, I think it’s important we take it day by day.’ Root said. ‘It would be wrong to completely rule him out.’