Debutant Ben Foakes was England’s unexpected saviour with the bat on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka, helping rewrite what was threatening to become a familiar script in Galle.

The Surrey wicketkeeper was not even in the original touring party, a late call-up as cover for the injured Jonny Bairstow, but ended his first day in international cricket with a deeply assured 87 not out to his name and dreams of a second day century when play resumes.

Having successfully persuaded the selectors he was the best gloveman for the job, he gave what would have been a resounding audition for a specialist batting spot, arriving at the crease with his side in strife at 103 for five and walking off having shepherded them to 321 for eight.

The top order had imploded during a typically frantic morning on foreign soil, several self-inflicted wounds leaving them on the verge of collapse.

But Foakes successfully rebooted the entire innings. Possibly the match itself. Maybe even the course of the series. He batted with calm authority over 184 deliveries, blunting the Sri Lankan spinners and gently turning the tide with late assistance from Sam Curran (48).

England’s team was lighter on experience by 342 caps since its last outing in September – the retired Alastair Cook, the injured Bairstow and the dropped Stuart Broad replaced by first-timers in Rory Burns and Foakes and rookie spinner Jack Leach playing in just his second Test.

Burns was first into the game, turning his third ball in international cricket to the mid-wicket ropes and clipping another boundary past mid-on.

The bright start quickly floundered, though, Burns feathering Suranga Lakmal off his hip and into the wicketkeeper’s gloves – the kind of dismissal batsmen curse and bowler’s gleefully accept.

That brought Moeen Ali to the crease for his latest – and possibly last – attempt to paper over the problems at number three. It lasted exactly one ball, Lakmal finding the perfect angle to zip past his defences and take out off stump.

The physical demands of the heat began to take their toll on Foakes, who offered a first chance to short-leg on 60, but the lower order gleefully took the strain.

Curran took time to find his feet then accelerated sharply to 48, while Adil Rashid’s 35 came at almost a run-a-ball, with five sixes between the pair.

Foakes, who has eight first-class hundreds to his name, needs just 13 more and will be relying on Leach and James Anderson to linger long enough to help him over the line.