Chris Silverwood confident England ‘can hit their straps’ in Sri Lanka before India challenge

England’s cricketers always emerge late from their hotel rooms the morning after winning a Test match overseas. 

In the past they were hung over. On this occasion it was because they were watching India’s historic run chase which ended Australia’s generation of invincibility at the Gabba.

“Most of the boys back in the hotel were taking an interest,” said Chris Silverwood, England’s head coach. “I think most of them appeared for lunch after India had won, so they were all staying ­watching.”

Away Test victories had been going out of fashion so it was rare for two to occur in one week, and Silverwood rightly recognised that while England’s win in Galle was commendable given their minimal practice,  India’s was exceptional because they had so many first-choice players unavailable.

“It’s great for them [India],” Silverwood said. “Obviously they were under strength, but they’ve still got some very, very good players in there. It’ll make for a good series against us when we go over.”

That is one way of looking at it.

“You look at what we have in front of us before we get to the Ashes [in late November]. What is it – nine Tests against India? What a fantastic way to prep before going to the Ashes, against a very strong opposition playing some great cricket. It’s very exciting. If we can go into that series [the four-Test series in India next month] with a 2-0 win [in Sri Lanka], it would do us a world of good confidence-wise, and having got back into the swing of Test cricket will also do us a world of good.

“Getting a game under the lads’ belts, they will be better for it. Another game [in Galle on Friday], more prep, we’ll improve again. All being well, by the time we get to India we’ll have hit our straps fully and be ready to hit the first game [in Chennai] hard.”

After a day off, England in the nets will be focusing on Warwickshire fast bowler Olly Stone to see if he can replace Mark Wood and ­replicate his pace. Stone’s one Test to date, against Ireland at Lord’s, was not much of a test as he bowled only 12 overs.

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