There was more than a hint of deja vu about England’s first morning in the second Test as they biffed but battled their way to lunch – but this was better.
Just like in Galle where their positivity brought them plenty of runs but also cost them half their wickets they found themselves 120-4 at the break.
At least this surface in Kandy looks like being considerably more taxing than the first Test and runs will be at an even greater premium on the dry pitch.
The chance to bat first on it was a huge boost for Joe Root and after winning his seventh toss in a row, he asked his batsmen to go and get him some runs, so they did.
Keaton Jennings was the first to fall, to the medium pace of new skipper Suranga Lakmal, edging a firm push behind to the keeper.
From there it was all about the spin and trying to score while also keeping the good ones out, something the newly promoted Ben Stokes couldn’t do as he was trapped plumb lbw by Dilruwan Perera.
At least the scoreboard was ticking along nicely as Rory Burns looked to play positively while Root joined him in doing the same.
But with Malinda Pushpakumara replacing Rangana Herath in the side, the slow left armer removed Root with one that went straight on with the arm and snuck through a gap between his bat and pad.
Burns was next to go pushing forward to Akila Dananjaya and edging low to slip for an encouraging 43 and at 89-4 there was a chance the session could end horribly.
Jos Buttler made sure it went the other way with a series of sweeps and reverse sweeps that sent England flying into lunch in confidence knowing that they need all the first innings runs they can get.
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