Stuart Broad is working to ensure he leaves Sri Lanka a better bowler, despite missing out on selection.

The Nottinghamshire paceman has watched from the side-lines as England have roared into a 2-0 series lead which ultimately will take them to second in the ICC Test rankings. 

"You're always desperate to play and it's always disappointing when you're not in the side, but it's the right decision," he said.

"I don't think not playing in Galle or Kandy will affect whether I play against Australia next summer.

“I don't think that's overly relevant, really. You've got to get ready to play the next Test because you never know what will happen but also, why not try and improve yourself as a cricketer?

"I've said whether I play in Sri Lanka or not, I was delighted to be on the tour because it would be easy to say 'ah, he doesn't want to come and mix the drinks' but I do, I want to be part of this England squad and why not leave Sri Lanka in a better place than when you arrived?

"I've worked very hard on my fitness, I'm feeling fresh, I'm feeling fit and I've found some technical stuff that's really improving me. So far, so good really."

England have opted for three spinners on the turning pitches of Sri Lanka, and Broad has no qualms with the tactic.

"It's never easy not playing, but it is easier when you honestly think it's probably the right decision, and if you were at the top of the tree it's the decision you'd make," the 32-year-old added.

"We've seen in the first two Test matches the amount of output the seamers have had and the amount of spin the spinners have been getting.

“I don't think I'd have made a particularly big difference to this England side in these conditions, to be perfectly honest.

"Chris Woakes and I were sat mixing the drinks yesterday and Jimmy was bowling a lovely spell, the bowler who probably moves it most of any bowler in the world and it wasn't really moving.

“Woakesy and I just said, 'well, if he's not moving it then we'd have been useless on this, wouldn't we?'”

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