England batsman Keaton Jennings paid tribute to friends and family on Thursday after putting a "really tough" 18 months of sleepless nights behind him with an unbeaten 146 against Sri Lanka. "Over the last 18 months I-ve faced some things in my cricketing life I-ve had to learn from.

I-ve had to develop myself," Jennings said after his innings on the third day of the first Test in Galle. "It-s just really pleasing and a big thank you to the people who have stuck with me over the last 18 months, backed me through some tough times, waking in the night panicking and stressing and going through some tough times," he said. "My mum and dad have been really good. My uncle," he said. "I suppose you do have to keep believing. Whether it-s daft of yourself to believe or not, but as sportsmen there are times you need to bluff yourself into thinking you-re capable of it.