‘Proud and pleased’ Root looks ahead after England seal Galle success
Joe Root believes his England side have 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 amouth-wateringsetofassignments,withhomeandawayseries against India, a likely visit from world number ones New ZealandandanAshestripnext winter all on the cards.
Andtheyinkedanearlywin into the calendar by sealing a seven-wicket success over Sri Lanka, built around a double centuryfromRoot,acombined haulof14scalpsfromspinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess and, eventually,acalmday-fivepursuit of their 74-run target.
At14forthreeonthefourth evening there was still room for some old doubts to creep in, with the ball spinning dramatically and fielders crowding around the bat.
But they were put to bed by the returning Jonny Bairstow and debutant Dan Lawrence, who quelled the comeback before finishing the job on Monday morning.
The pair finished with a standof62,leavingthetourists to celebrate a fourth consecutive overseas win following three in South Africa last winter – something they last managed in 1957.
Englandhavealsowontheir 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.
“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 thatwe’vemade,wewillbevery 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 challengesthroughoutthewinter–and beyond–butwearegoinginthe right direction.
“I’m really proud and pleased with the way we’ve started here and how we’ve gone about performing away from home recently.
"Look back at a couple of yearsandourrecordawayfrom home was very poor. For us to have really turned that round is testament to the 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.