England travel to Sri Lanka for two ICC World Test Championship matches in March. Returning to a country where they won 3-0 in 2018, they carry the added confidence of the 3-1 series win in South Africa this week. However, their squad for the two fixtures in Galle and Colombo is likely to look very different from the one that enjoyed success in the subcontinent last time.

The top order of Zak Crawley, Dom Sibley and Joe Denly provided solid starts in South Africa, with Ollie Pope establishing himself as a smart batsman in the middle order. In Dom Bess they found a spinner who can claim wickets as well as hold up an end when the pacers attack. All these players have staked a claim to making the trip to Sri Lanka; none of them played a role in the series victory last time, although Denly and Pope were in the squad without making the XI.

“I loved to see Buttler running down the wicket to [Vernon] Philander in this last game [at Wanderers] and looking to do something different. That’s how I want to see Jos Buttler play, with real flair,” said Farbrace. “We haven’t talked about his keeping this series, which shows how well he’s kept. I would love to see England stick with him.”

“Foakes has to be in the squad, that’s non-negotiable,” said Stewart, calling for a decision to be made after the warm-up matches. “And then you work out what Buttler’s mindset is, how he’s playing those two warm-up games. Foakes we know is good enough.”