Duckett and Dawson deliver in England's consolation win

While Duckett's 105 against Pakistan held a poor England innings together, here he was ruthless.

With very little swing or seam movement on offer, Duckett was able to back himself to flay anything wide of the off stump and timed the ball exquisitely off his pads when Sri Lanka were forced to bowl straighter.

They attempted to test with the short ball, too, but he was particularly prolific against it as the seamers lacked the pace to really trouble him.

It was also an impressive display of fitness from a player who has spoken about how hard he has worked at that part of his game, eventually falling in the 42nd over from a miscued ramp as the fatigue appeared to take its toll.

Duckett seems to relish opening with Banton: the pair have stands of 143, 6, 91, 74, 4 and 163 in their past six outings together. That, and Banton's form, has given England's selectors an intriguing conundrum for when Jacob Bethell returns from injury in Australia.

Bethell previously occupied the opening slot alongside Duckett but Banton, with five scores of fifty plus in his past six knocks, looks likely to have nailed down his place on this tour, despite some frustration that he could not kick on to three figures when conditions were so favourable.

"You want options, and guys to push their case when they get their opportunities," England coach Brendon McCullum told Sky Sports after the game.

"They're good problems for us to have. We will learn more about that in Australia, but we will always do what's right for the team depending on conditions and the opposition."

Bethell's versatility could potentially see him find a place in the middle order, but it is a promising indication of England's impressive white-ball depth that it is unclear who he could replace from Root, Brook and Jacks, with Jordan Cox needed as keeper in Jos Buttler's injury absence.