England captain Joe Root has hailed a “special” victory after his side saw off Sri Lanka to take an unassailable lead in the series. The tourists sealed their first series win in Sri Lanka since 2001 after wrapping up proceedings on day five of the second Test in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka started the day on 226-7, requiring just 75 runs to win, but they were bowled out in quick fashion as England sealed a 57-run victory.
It was another good day for England’s spinners and Mooen Ali took advantage of conditions to draw Niroshan Dickwella on to an awkward ball.
Dickwella edged to first slip for 35 before Ali also bowled captain Suranga Lakmal two balls later for a duck.
Jack Leach finished Sri Lanka off as he claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul when removing Malinda Pushpakumara.
“It feels very special,” Root said. “It’s about the character, the skill level and the hard work that’s put in around the games. It all adds up. “It’s been a great eight months for us. It felt like we had a breakthrough moment at the start of the Christchurch Test match (in April), we sort of turned a corner.”
England hold a 2-0 lead in the three-match series ahead of the final Test in Colombo which starts at 04:30 GMT on Friday.
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