Galle’s well for Root as he savours Test victory
JOE Root believes his England side has 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 mouthwatering set of assignments with home and away series against India, a likely visit from world number ones New Zealand and an Ashes trip next winter 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.
At 14-3 on the fourth evening there was still room for some old doubts to creep in, the ball spinning dramatically and fielders crowding around the bat.
However, they were put to bed by the returning Jonny Bairstow and debutant Dan Lawrence, who quelled the comeback before finishing the job.
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.
Root said: “We will take a lot of heart from the way we have gone about this game.
“If we keep learning from this game, from the good things and also the mistakes we have made, we will be very hard to beat.
“It is really important 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.
“I am really proud and pleased with the way we have started here and how we have gone about performing away from home recently.
“Look back two years and our record away from home was very poor. For us to have turned that round is testament to this group of players.”
The tour concludes with Friday’s second Test, though the word ‘tour’
does seem a little grand given England will spend the next four nights in the same hotel before returning to renew battle at the same ground.
England have already been served notice it should be a tougher ask second time around, the home side raising their game considerably to make 359 in their second innings following a self-inflicted 135 all out on day one.
Root added: “They made it very hard work for us.
“We know they are a very good side in these conditions and a very proud team as well with high-class players. They will be desperate to turn things around. We just have to keep getting better too.”
Root tipped his cap to Bairstow and Lawrence, the former returning to Test cricket after over a year out and the latter making his first ever appearance.
Both made important contributions in building the lead and then showed admirable focus to navigate choppy waters at the conclusion.
With Rory Burns (paternity leave), Ollie Pope (injured) and Ben Stokes (rested) all absent but due to return ahead of next month’s games in India, it was a clear show of strength to have the pair perform so impressively.
Root said: “I am very proud of those guys.
“It was always just going to take one partnership, two guys just grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and showing some maturity and calmness out there.”