Following his outstanding ton on debut in the first innings of the Galle Test and some really safe glovework behind the stumps, Ben Foakes has been given a huge vote of confidence by the touring selectors and the team management, where he'll continue to keep in the series despite first-choice Jonny Bairstow making a return to training from his ankle injury.

Coming into bat with England 103/5 on Day 1, Foakes played one of the best Test knocks in recent times and changed the whole complexion of the match by his assured and yet, whirlwind 107. The visitors later won the game by a massive margin of 211 runs and now lead the series, 1-0.

"Ben is going to keep," confirmed Joe Root ahead of the second Test at Pallekele starting Wednesday, November 14, “We’ve come to Sri Lanka to win this tour. And in these conditions, I think Ben is the best option behind the stumps."

"It’s a great opportunity for Ben to show his ability and I think you’ve got to reward a performance like last week," he added.

Though, Root asserted that the door isn't shut at all on Bairstow, who continues to be an integral part of team's plans, and said, "Jonny is a fine keeper and what he’s done over the last couple of years has been exceptional," before affirming, "He’s pretty much been faultless, not really stood out at all, which is probably a good thing for a wicket-keeper, and long-term I see him as a focal part of the test team."

On how the whole dynamic impacts him, the explosive Jos Buttler said, "I’ll bat where is required," and expressed, "The style of cricket required is very similar wherever you bat with a 90 percent chance of starting your innings against spin."

"Potentially number three could be the best time to bat," he signed off.

(Inputs from The Independent)