Moeen Ali gets a confidence boost after starring role in first warm-up match

England's campaign in Sri Lanka was off to a positive start with them securing a comfortable 43-run victory through the DLS Method in the first warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI.

England's spinners, particularly Moeen Ali, had a good day out. Ali claimed 3/42 in his 10 overs, while Adil Rashid conceded 46 in his 10 overs along with a wicket.

An unbroken 174-run partnership between Eoin Morgan and Joe Root then helped seal the deal for England as they scored 215/2 in 35.3 overs to find themselves well ahead of the DLS par total.

Ali was delighted at the success – his three wickets were Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne and Kusal Mendis – in the first match on a tour where he expects to play a bigger role than usual. He felt it was a confidence boost to get three players who have played international cricket, two of whom he dismissed in the first Powerplay.

"It's always nice to tour somewhere where you think you're going to play a big role – it does give you that extra bit more," said Ali.

"It's never a guarantee that you're going to go well. I've had that experience as well, going to India and stuff. You've got to stay calm about it - can't get too far ahead.

"It's good for my own confidence to get a couple of wickets upfront against two of their more international type of players. It was nice to get them in the Powerplay. These guys are used to these conditions, and they are good players in these conditions. It's not going to be as easy as people think, but as a spinner you do have things in your favour, and that always helps.

England lost two early wickets in Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy, but Root and captain Morgan played exceptionally well, both remaining unbeaten in their nineties when play was interrupted. Root scored 90 not out off 92 balls, while Morgan raced to an unbeaten 91 off 84 deliveries – a knock featuring nine fours and three sixes.

"He's a fantastic player of spin, and I personally love the way he plays when he plays with intent," Moeen said of Morgan. "It's great to see some of the shots that he played today."

England play another warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka XI at Colombo on Saturday, October 6, before the ODIs commence on 10 October.