Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd Test at Galle, SL v ENG, Jan 22 2021 - Ball by Ball Commentary

6.45pm: Well, that's a wrap from the Sri Lanka series. Joe Root has had more fun in Galle than Asterix and Obelix taking on an entire Roman legion while full to the gunnels with magic potion. Your next stop should be Valkerie Baynes' report and stick around on the site for plenty more reaction. England are off to India in a couple of days, and you can be sure we'll be back for that... Until then, from myself, Miller, and Deiva, Chandan and Venkat and all the rest, it's tatty bye for now. Bye!

6.30pm: Time for the presentations, starting with Dinesh Chandimal: "We were outplayed today. Done the hard work the last three days, as a batting unit we made the same mistakes we made in the first Test on the first day. No excuses, we have to learn how to bat like Root, he was outstanding. Need to be patient. Played well in patches but it's not good enough against a team like England, we have to do well every day. I played a rash shot, take that responsibility. If the batting unit takes responsibility and we get 250-plus that will be a good total on this pitch. We have to step up and learn to play with patience. [Embuldeniya] He was outstanding throughout the series, doing all the hard work in practice, fitness. He always comes and asks how to improve, so I'm sure he'll be a good asset going forward. I'm disappointed with the way I batted, have to learn and come back stronger."

England captain Joe Root is Man of the Match and Man of the Series. Whodathunkit? He collects some hampers from a sponsor for England's players, too. And signs a ball... Right, here we go: "Fine performance, to come out on top having lost the toss on a wicket where we had the worst of it for the majority of the game. The way we stuck to the task in the first innings with the ball, and then dealing with pressure in the second innings, I thought a number of guys in a difficult chase showed maturity, calmness and poise to see us home. Brilliant way to finish the series. We knew we wanted to get as close as possible but with the ball it was about creating a bit of chaos. Make it difficult to score boundaries, build pressure and squeeze the game. We knew we could create chances on that surface. Really proud of how calm we were, clear on scoring runs in the chance. Credit to the bowlers for putting SL under pressure. Generally on an upward curve and looking to get better. Coming in with little prep, to perform how we have has been pleasing. With four more Test matches on this tour it's really important we don't stand still, keep looking to improve. Different challenges and conditions but can we have the same attitude? [Improve where?] All departments, not had complete performance. Want to get more consistent and keep making strides. Brilliant performance in this environment and a lot to take into next four games."

6.17pm: Another day, another win for England in Sri Lanka. Extraordinary as it may seem, they've now won six on the bounce on the island, going back to 2012, and have recorded back-to-back whitewashes under the captaincy of Joe Root. Sri Lanka had a nightmare today, having taken what seemed a vital first-innings lead, and in the end another collapse has cost them: 126 to finish the series after starting off with 135 all out. And here's an interesting nugget from our stats guru Gaurav Sundararaman: SENA teams to have won in Asia having lost the toss since 2011, England well out in front

Here's Dom Sibley for a word with Simon Doull: "Relief to be honest, had a bit of a stinker so far. Worked hard on playing spin during the winter in England, so starting to doubt myself a bit. Had a bit of luck with the reviews and nice to be out there to see the boys over the line. [Issues?] Got a bit stuck, working on my options, trying not to doubt myself. [Embuldeniya] had the wood over me, was just trying to stay out there for 20-30 balls and give myself a chance. [Root example] Watching Joe makes you feel inadequate, the way he's played has been incredible. Tough net sessions with Jacques [Kallis], trying to change things mid-series took courage, paid off today. [Buttler partnership] Going down in 10s, keep counting down and working from there. Jos plays a lot higher tempo that me, which took pressure off. When Joe got out I thought I need to be here at the end. Pleased to end the tour on a high note. Was in a dark place the other night so to get some runs is a relief."

"On the children's games, how about CONNECTs for FOUR." Very good, mark stanfield. And England are on the verge of joining up six wins in a row in Sri Lanka

Could win it with a six and get to his fifty at the same time...

"'England's record in India' ? They beat India in India not too long ago!" Erm, well, that was almost a decade back now, Ranjit. I'm thinking more of the 4-0 pumping in 2016-17

"A Hungry Hippos drive, I see," giggles Richard Dixon. "Can't wait for the Kerplunk for six. (Other children's games are available)."

"It's not done and dusted, but if England win this match they will have won the series the hard way," opines Neil. "That'll be two wins batting second at Galle. Sri Lanka might not be India but that's no mean feat." Yep, I believe only Pakistan have managed that previously. And no touring team has won three times in Galle