Ali, who was dropped earlier this year in New Zealand, was brought back into the side for the fourth Test against India at the Ageas Bowl, and responded with a player-of-the-match performance that saw him return match figures of 9-134.

In addition to his role as spinner, Ali also saw himself promoted to No.3 in the batting order in the second innings of that Test.

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Nevertheless, Swann would like to see the Worcestershire all-rounder take the mantle of being the side’s leading spin bowler, rather than as a top-order batsman.

“Mo is still in that [mindset of] ‘I’m No.2 spinner, I want to bat No.3’. That is not the way to go”, said Swann.

“If Mo turns up at the airport and says, ‘I’m going to go to Sri Lanka and be Man of the Series, I’m going to take loads of wickets and I’ll bat No.6 where the team needs me, not at No.3 where I’m not suited’ then I think England will win.”

Swann, who took 16 wickets in two Tests the last time England embarked on a Test tour to Sri Lanka, pressed for Ali to retain his self-belief to perform.

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“Yes, the Test series is a different form and it’s in a different country but it seems with Mo that he’s so fragile that he needs confidence-boosting all the time”, added Swann.

“And I implore him to just come on, grab it with both hands. You’re a really, really good bowler and stop worrying about being known as the No.2 spinner.”

“It doesn’t make any difference, the ball doesn’t change shape because you’re the No. 1 or 2 spinner, the pitch doesn’t change length, the same batsmen are batting. Nonsense.”

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England’s front-line spin options for the tour include, Ali, Adil Rashid and Somerset’s Jack Leach.

Prior to the Test series, England will play five ODIs and one T20. The first ODI begins on October 10 in Dambulla.