England captain Joe Root has apologised to the team’s travelling supporters after their hotel bookings in Kandy were cancelled at the last minute.

They were forced out to make room for both the teams after a mix-up by the Sri Lankan board. In October it emerged that the hotel both teams were expecting to stay in, the Earl’s Regency, had not been booked by Sri Lanka Cricket and had been sold to tour groups.

The Sri Lankan sports minister Faiszer Musthapha intervened to ensure that the teams were able to stay at their preferred hotel , which is 15 minutes from the ground at Pallekele.

That resulted in 100 England fans being turfed out to alternative accommodation further away, for which Joe Root has written a letter to show thanks.

England sought to show their appreciation by posing for pictures with the tour group.

“It has been a huge disappointment to all of us that your plans for the Kandy Test have been badly disrupted, with your accommodation moved so far away from the Earl’s Regency,” he wrote.

“It was a big surprise for us to hear of Cricket Sri Lanka’s booking issue and the threat that the match itself might be moved altogether. I can assure you the ECB has made its views clear.

“As leader of this group of players, I promise that we will do all we can to give you a performance to remember and thank you for your part in this Test match.”