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England captain Joe Root explains Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow decisions for second Sri Lanka Test

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England Test captain Joe Root (Picture: Getty)

Joe Root says the balance of the England team for the second Sri Lanka Test is ideal for the conditions they will face in Kandy.

England can clinch a series victory over Sri Lanka this week, having won the opening Test in Galle by over 200 runs.

Ben Stokes has been promoted to No.3 in the batting order, with Moeen Ali dropping down after scoring just three runs in the first match.

Jonny Bairstow has been unable to win back a place in the team after missing last weeks victory due to an ankle injury.

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That means his replacement, Ben Foakes, retains the gloves having scored a hundred on debut.

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England Test captain Root said: Having had a good look at the surface today, we feel the side that won the first Test will give us the best opportunity for us to get something out of this Test.

The surface is dry and it will spin. The balance of the team is ideal for these conditions.

We can also adapt, if the situation dictates, as we showed in Galle.

All-rounder Ben Stokes will bat at No.3 in Kandy (Picture: Getty)

Root says Stokes, 27, has the technique to thrive at first drop and is relishing the added responsibility of moving up the order.

Bens game is in good shape and he is more than capable of batting at three, the skipper added.

We are in a fortunate position that many in the side could bat in that position. Bens technique is sound and he will be able to adapt to this role.

He is one of the fittest guys in the side, so the intensity of batting in the top order and bowling as one of our three seamers, will not faze him.

Root and Trevor Bayliss explained the decision to Jonny Bairstow (Picture: Getty)

If we feel that he has done a tremendous workload with the ball, then we can adapt and alter the order if its necessary, but I dont expect that to happen.

Ben is relishing the added responsibility of doing a job at three.

Root also explained Bairstows omission and revealed he and head coach Trevor Bayliss had spoken to him about the decision.

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He said: Jonny was available for selection. Trevor [Bayliss] and I have spoken to him about finding the right balance for this Test with the conditions we are expecting.