Sri Lanka's five-year unbeaten home series ODI run faces its stiffest test on Tuesday, with England levelling the series 1-1 and Joe Root again the key obstacle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Root has been England’s sheet anchor, posting half-centuries in both matches, with his back-to-the-wall 75 in Saturday's second ODI laying the foundation for a five-wicket victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Joe's unbelievable, the way he batted the other night showed his class in these conditions when the pitch is turning," England spinner Liam Dawson told reporters in Colombo on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"To be that successful and dominate world cricket for the number of years he's played is phenomenal. He's obviously going to go down as one of the greats of the game."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Root has taken the old-school route, at a time when most modern batters try to bludgeon spin into submission by sweeping, reverse-sweeping and going aerial.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He does use the sweep, but he is far from a one-trick pony.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Playing late, using soft hands and milking the bowling for singles, he rotates strike effortlessly, shifting pressure back onto the bowlers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka know the equation only too well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Root has always been a thorn in our flesh and we have seen how, when we dismiss him early, England struggle," captain Charith Asalanka said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He holds one end up, builds partnerships and he is England's key, we know that. His experience, with over 22,000 international runs, makes him a huge challenge for us, but we are ready for him in the series decider."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England's growing comfort with spin was underlined in the second ODI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They rolled out six slow bowling options and sent down 40.3 overs of spin, the most by an England side in ODI history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dawson believes that depth could be a trump card with the T20 World Cup looming, which Sri Lanka will co-host with India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"With the World Cup being in this part of the world, having so many spin options is a good thing for the captain," Dawson said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"On flatter surfaces, you have to vary your pace and things like that, but in these conditions, you just have to land it in a good spot -- and let the pitch do the rest."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Sri Lanka tour is a dress rehearsal for the World Cup for England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"This experience of playing here before the World Cup is important for us," Dawson said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Hopefully we can win the last game, build some confidence, compete well in the T20 series coming up and head into the World Cup on a high."
\r\n <\/p>\r\n",
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