After 14 challenging months out of international cricket Jack Leach enjoyed a wearying but worthwhile return to help England’s push for victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka.

The left-arm spinner claimed five for 122 on the fourth day in Galle, including the last four wickets to fall, to leave his side chasing just 74 for the win.

The value of his haul became ever clearer as the tourists lost their first three wickets for just 14 in a frenzied final passage of play, with England needing 36 more on the final morning following a settling stand between Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence.

“I’m happier now with 38 on the board,” he said.

“On pitches like these there’s always hard periods, but I thought Jonny and Dan got through that period really well and scored when they could. I know Dan a little bit from England Lions and playing against him in county cricket and I don’t think he feels an awful lot of pressure. He is quite a confident guy and he backs his game. I think we consolidated really well and it feels like we can come back and get the remaining runs.”

Leach shared a word of praise for his old Somerset team-mate Jos Buttler, whose sharp glovework to dismiss Dilruwan Perera brought him a first stumping in Test cricket after 28 games as wicketkeeper.

“He’s done brilliantly. I didn’t have much to do with it,” he said.

“It was quick work from him and I’m very thankful to get a couple of wickets where we teamed up.”