A 62-run partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence guided England to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka.
Chasing only 74 runs for victory in their second innings, the visitors started on the back foot late on Sunday, losing three early wickets.
Zak Crawley, Dom Sibley and Joe Root departed cheaply as England found themselves in trouble on 14-3.
READ: England stumble in pursuit of victory
Bairstow and Lawrence, however, got the ball rolling on Monday morning with the score on 38-3. Nine overs were all they needed for the pair to see England home for a fourth-consecutive away Test victory.
Sri Lanka’s poor effort with the bat in the first innings ultimately proved to be the deciding factor, having fought back in their second innings.
Joe Root’s brilliant double-century in England’s first innings secured him man of the match. The two teams will meet at the same venue on Friday for the second and final Test match.
? I did a lot of talking before the game so it was nice to follow that through ?
Joe Root wanted to make a big, match-winning contribution and, boy, did he deliver!
But what pleased the England captain most about his 2️⃣2️⃣8️⃣?
? #SLvENG report ? https://t.co/EcqRrT46pO pic.twitter.com/SAZdMnhTe5
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) January 18, 2021
