Joe Root completed his fourth double century for England on Saturday but insisted it will mean nothing if his side cannot overcome a defiant Sri Lanka in the first Test. The England captain made 228 of his team`s 421 all out -- 26 runs short of his brilliant 254 career best against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 2016. But Lahiru Thirimanne led Sri Lanka`s stubborn resistance, hitting an unbeaten 75 while Kusal Perera made 62 as the home team reached 156-2 in their second innings. After their disappointing 135 in the first innings, they need another 130 to reach England`s total. Root`s 321 ball innings with a six and 18 fours dominated the day.

It took less than an hour in the opening session to add the 32 runs to his overnight total. He reached 200 with a four off Lasith Emuldeniya. While the empty Covid-19-stricken stadium meant that only his teammates in the pavilion and a lone England fan watching from a nearby fort could applaud, the performance confirmed Root`s return as a batsman after a barren 2020 saw him fall to number 11 in the ICC rankings. He had not reached three figures in a Test since his 226 in New Zealand in November 2019. Root also scored an unbeaten 200 against Sri Lanka at Lord`s in 2014. But he indicated his disappointment after seeing six wickets fall to Sri Lanka`s bowlers in the morning session and then the struggle by his own attack.