Joe Root hopeful England preparation will be enough to arrest woeful first Test record against Sri Lanka

NICK HOWSON: Nearly five months on from their last red-ball outing the tourists have had one aborted intra-squad match ahead of the two-Test series

England captain Joe Root believes the short build-up to the Sri Lanka Test series will be sufficient to ensure the tourists start quickly.

Improving on a record of one victory in the first Test of an away series during his tenure will be key to ensuring 2021 is the defining year of Root's tenure as captain.

That run has included defeats to Australia, New Zealand (twice), West Indies and South Africa. The only success came in November 2018 in Galle, where this tour's two Tests will be staged.

Following a period in quarantine, just one intra-squad warm-up match in Hambantota, which was washed out after one day, was possible before the team travelled to Galle where they have practiced in the lead-up to the game starting on Thursday (January 13).

Though far from ideal, Root feels England have made the most of the time available to them.

"We've prepared as best we can," he said. "That is all you can do really. We've had a very short lead into this game but at the same time, we've made the most of everything that we've got and had. I can't ask any more of the guys. 

"We've had some good conversations about the conditions and what to expect. We've had some guys with some really good experiences over here on the previous tour and some very excited young players. 

"When you put all that together it blends nicely and hopefully we can transfer that into the game."

^{Dom Bess is ready to take centre stage this winter}

After 10 Tests at Lord's, Headingley, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, The Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford, this winter provides an opportunity for Dom Bess to bowl in favourable conditions at international level for arguably the first time.

Jack Leach played a critical role during the 3-0 series win the last time England were in Sri Lanka but now could be the time for his former Somerset teammate to come to the fore.

Bess has rarely had the opportunity to play a central role in the England attack. But a maiden five-for against South Africa almost exactly a year ago suggests he is ready for the responsibility.

"I think that will hold him in really good stead," added the skipper. "He's experienced big spinning conditions at home in Somerset and also he had success in Port Elizabeth as well where it did spin quite drastically. 

"We know he has the ability and the skills if it does start spinning quite quickly then to take advantage of that. It is a really good opportunity to show what he can do in these conditions.

"Wherever you go in the world your role will change in different conditions. You have to be able to understand that in given conditions. For someone, right at the start of his career, he's still learning that. 

"That is exciting to see he has had success already coming into conditions which might be slightly in his favour he could potentially make a mark on this tour."