England end 14-match losing streak in Sri Lanka

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England have finally snapped their drought of Test wins with a stunning 211-run victory over Sri Lanka in Galle. This was the first away win for England after they drew a blank in 14 Tests matches outside their home soil over the past two years.

The emphatic victory over the Sri Lankans, who lost only their fourth Test out of their last 14 matches at the venue, is also the first on the road for Joe Root-led English side.

While addressing the media after the match, English skipper Joe Root said he is hoping the drought-ending win on Friday will be proven to be just the beginning of a run of success away from home for his team.

A visibly happy and satisfied Root told the reporters, “It's not just us, like we're the only side that struggles away from home, it's across the board in test cricket.”

Rangana Herath of Sri Lanka is lifted on shoulders during a lap of the ground after the 1st Cricket Test Match between Sri Lanka and England at the Galle Cricket Stadium. /VCG Photo

The 27-year-old batsman also added, “That makes it even sweeter when you do come to a very difficult venue, like Galle, and manage to win.”

Incidentally, the Galle Test was the farewell match for Sri Lankan spin-bowling stalwart Rangana Herath, who now has to walk down the sunset boulevard with a defeat in his last game.

Apart from their morale-crushing defeat at home, the Lankans suffered a big blow in the form of their captain Dinesh Chandimal as he suffered a groin strain during the match and as a result of that he has been ruled out of the next Test in Kandy.

According to Sri Lankan coach Chandika Hathurusingha, “Chandimal's injury is grade one tear, and it will take 10 to 14 days to recover, so it will be touch and go for the second test match.”

Promising England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, who replaced injured regular gloveman Johnny Bairstow, was adjudged Man of the Match after scoring a match-winning century in his maiden test innings.

Bairstow is likely to recover from an ankle injury and expected to be back in action during the second Test of the series, starting on Thursday.