Stokes to bat No.3 for England

England captain Joe Root says Ben Stokes is eager to shoulder the "added responsibility" of batting in the problem position of No.3 in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

The tourists will field an unchanged XI at Pallekele Stadium on Wednesday following their resounding victory in Galle, leaving out the fit-again Jonny Bairstow and promoting their star allrounder to arguably the most crucial spot in the order.

Root, the team's best batsman, vacated the No.3 role in the summer and Moeen Ali's double failure in the previous Test has forced another rethink.

"Ben's game is in good shape and he is more than capable of batting at three. He is relishing the added responsibility of doing a job at three," said Root.

"Ben's technique is sound and he will be able to adapt to this role."

The talk of responsibility is pertinent given Stokes lost the vice-captaincy last year, in the aftermath of the Bristol street fight that saw him miss the Ashes and ultimately be acquitted on a charge of affray.

Despite surrendering the formal leadership role, he has never relinquished his influential status in the group and will not shrink from the challenge that comes with his elevation.

He has played 64 of his 85 Test knocks as a No.6 but will now have the opportunity to define the innings rather than rescue or polish it.

England are mindful of over-working their allrounders, and last week pencilled Jos Buttler in to swap with Moeen if the spinner was tired from his efforts with the ball.

Buttler could play a similar safety net role for Stokes, though it seems unlikely his headstrong nature or seemingly endless reserves of energy would allow for that.

"We are in a fortunate position that many in the side could bat in that position. If we feel that he has done a tremendous workload with the ball, then we can adapt and alter the order if it's necessary, but I don't expect that to happen," explained Root.

"Ben 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 also opened up on breaking the bad news to teammate Bairstow.

He arrived on this trip inked into the side as first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman only for an ankle injury suffered while playing football during the one-day series to rule him out of the first Test.

His replacement Ben Foakes, originally called up as cover, went on to enjoy what Buttler dubbed "the best debut ever", making himself effectively undroppable with a composed century and a fine outing with the gloves.

"Jonny understands the situation and is aware that we have to pick the side that are best suited to conditions we can expect in Kandy," said Root.

"He is an integral part of our plans and his experience around the group is important."