Jennings on bounceback after self-doubt battle

Keaton Jennings dug deep to deliver a career-reviving century for England, then laid bare the scale of the anxieties and self-doubt he has experienced trying to prove himself over the past 18 months.

Jennings batted with dogged determination for more than six hours in Galle, finishing 146 not out having painstakingly manoeuvred his team into a winning position over Sri Lanka on day three of the first Test yesterday.

It was a match, and a tour, many felt the Lancashire opener should not even be part of after a dreadful summer in which he averaged just 19.2 in 10 innings and looked bereft of confidence.

Having earned a reprieve from the selectors he has paid them back in spades, grinding a weary Sri Lankan attack into submission through sheer force of will. Most of his six batting partners were more fluent, all of their stays more fleeting.

By the time he was done England had declared on 322 for six and the hosts were facing up to a worldrecord chase of 462 on a wearing pitch.

Since scoring a hundred on debut in 2016 Jennings has been on a rollercoaster, losing form dramatically, axed soon after and then having his technique picked apart ruthlessly on his unsuccessful return this year.

“It’s just really pleasing and it’s a big ‘thank you’ to the people who have stuck with me over the last 18 months,” he said.

“You have to look at your immediate circle who are there when you need that hug, that shoulder to cry on. My mum and dad have been really good. My uncle too. It’s been really tough but I sit here really proud.

“They have backed me through some tough times, waking in the night panicking and stressing and going through some tough times.

“When you’re waking up at 6.30 in the morning and reading about your technical deficiencies it’s not human to say it wouldn’t affect you.”

All he needs to cap a memorable week by the Indian Ocean is for England’s bowlers to take 10 wickets over two days and prevent the hosts racking up a historic fourth-innings chase.

“Any time you put in a performance that enables your side to get into a match-winning position is really awesome and hopefully we can go on and win this Test,” he said.

Picture: Getty. Keaton Jennings, left, celebrates his century with Jos Buttler.