“Jonny is not available for this Test match. He has come on a long way in the last week or so but with another winter tour coming and a big summer ahead we didn’t necessarily want to risk it,” Bayliss said in interviews with Test Match Special and talkSPORT.

“The next decision is who we’re going to have keeping. They (Buttler and Foakes) are both still very much in our thinking and that will probably come down to the combinations we want to play.

“Definitely one of them will be keeping but how we structure the batting order and what combination of bowlers we put in to the team could determine who eventually gets the gloves.”

Bayliss admitted he and captain Joe Root, assisted by national selector Ed Smith, have other debates to settle before finalising the team.

Any lingering doubts about an opening partnership of Keaton Jennings and Rory Burns, and they were scant, looked to be settled as they batted together in the nets and then practised close catching in the middle.

Who follows them at number three is still being pondered.

Joe Denly was favourite little more than a week ago but two unconvincing innings in the warm-up matches, allied to five expensive overs of leg-spin may have cost him a chance.

Moeen Ali was Root’s batting partner on Sunday morning, hinting that he could be asked to continue in a role he filled on what was thought to be a temporary basis at the end of the summer.

“He’s certainly still in the calculations there,” said Bayliss.

“There’s a couple of guys in line there depending on the combinations we go with. That’s a sign we’ve got more than 11 guys putting their hands up to play in the team.

“As time goes by and we’re discussing things among the coaching group and Joe Root, we’re starting to get a little clearer. But we’re still not there.”

There is a growing feeling Stuart Broad could be dropped for the first time in six years, making way should England decide they need three spinners at a venue renowned for taking turn.

“We want to have another look at the wicket closer to the match,” said Bayliss after an afternoon rain shower led to the pitch being covered.

“It’s got a little moisture in it at the moment but there’s still two days to go. If the covers are down for a little while it might hold some of that moisture but I still expect it to dry out and spin as the game goes on.

“It will be solely based around what we need to take 20 wickets here in Sri Lanka.”

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