Jack Leach admitted England's game plan took a wrong turn on day two in Kandy but believes the prospect of bowling last on a spinning pitch offers plenty of reason for optimism.
The tourists were quietly confident that their first-innings total of 285 was a strong foundation on a dry and turning track but were faced with a 46-run deficit after the hosts dug in for 103 overs in the second Test at Pallekele Stadium.
England eventually finished Sri Lanka off for 336, Roshen Silva last man out for 85 – the knock of the match and one which helped squeeze 125 runs from the last three partnerships.
Leach and Adil Rashid shared six wickets, Moeen Ali added two and even part-time spinner Joe Root got in on the act, but there was no avoiding the conclusion that England's spin unit let Sri Lanka off the leash.
Despite the ball jagging off the pitch, precision and pressure went missing too often and Root was forced into stationing boundary riders rather than close catchers more frequently than he would like.
"We had a chat and we're a little bit disappointed that they've got a lead," conceded Leach.
"At one point we were hoping we would have that lead going into our batting but we're feeling good about bowling last on that wicket.
"On these wickets you have to be extra patient, always asking questions of the batter. I feel I could have done that a little better and that's something I have to take away and learn from."
Leach even suggested the pitch was offering slightly too much assistance, zipping comfortably past the bat rather than finding a nick on the way through. That is a lesson banked for the business end of this finely-poised clash.
"I liked seeing it spin but sometimes you bowl a lot of balls that miss the outside edge. Those balls look great but they're not creating a chance," he said.
"At times that craft is 'how can I take spin off', maybe get one to slide or just grip a little bit."
First, though, Leach has a job to do with bat in hand. He was selected as nightwatchman when England were left with a solitary over of Dilruwan Perera before stumps, successfully deputising for Keaton Jennings.
"No, I didn't expect that," he said, before anointing himself the heir to a Somerset team-mate and former England opener Marcus Trescothick.
"It was a good moment, I've taken Tres' spot at the top of the order! I just knew I had to get through one over and make it last as long as possible.
"I could hear the crowd cheering every ball so that got me going a little bit. I was pleased to make the end of the day."
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