Root craving more road success

England skipper Joe Root is hoping the drought-snapping Test victory over Sri Lanka on Friday will prove just the start of a run of success away from home.

The 211-run victory was the first away for England in 14 Tests going back more than two years, a first on the road under Root's captaincy and only a fourth defeat for Sri Lanka at Galle in their past 14 matches there.

"It's not just us, like we're the only side that struggles away from home; it's across the board in Test cricket," the 27-year-old batsman said.

"That makes it even sweeter when you do come to a very difficult venue, like Galle, and manage to win.

"Hopefully we can build on this and it's not just a one-off for us. We can go to Kandy with huge amounts of confidence and look to still improve and get better."

Sri Lanka were disappointed not to give spin-bowling great Rangana Herath a win in his last match and have concerns over the fitness of captain Dinesh Chandimal, who suffered a groin strain in the match.

"Chandimal's injury is grade one tear and it will take 10 to 14 days to recover, so it will be touch and go for the second Test," coach Chandika Hathurusingha said.

"We'll wait and see how his body recovers before we make the call."

England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes was named Man of the Match after scoring a century in his maiden Test innings, which could leave the tourists with a selection headache of their own.

Regular gloveman Jonny Bairstow is expected to recover from an ankle injury and be available to play in the second match of the series starting in Kandy on Thursday.