ENGLISH COULD GO ROOT ONE

JOE ROOT will call the shots over team selection in Kandy after showing that he has stepped out of Alastair Cook’s shadow to take full control of the England team.

A first overseas win by 211 runs for captain Root coincided with Cook’s first game after retirement, but it also came without the experience of Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow.

And a fresher looking side was happy to follow Root’s instructions to a tee as they charged at the Sri Lankans first up, before beating them at their own game with high-quality spin.

It was a triumph for Root’s tactical approach as well as his man management to get the best out of his players.

England coach Trevor Bayliss reckons that the skipper is the one who will be making the tough calls for the second Test on Wednesday with a potential reshuffle to come. Bayliss said: “I hope it is a breakthrough moment for Joe.

“But what I would say already on this tour is it’s looking very much like this is the beginnings of Joe Root’s team.

“There are some new, younger players coming into the side and it just has that feel about it that it can be the beginnings of a better time.”