English skipper Joe Root smashed a double ton against Sri Lanka on Saturday and his heartwarming gesture while celebrating the feat. Root acknowledged the applause the teammates and also waved his bat to the only spectator present in the ground.&nbsp;

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This spectator is none other than Rob Lewis, the English fan who waited for 10 months to watch the England team in action. Lewis had decided to stay in Sri Lanka after the original tour was aborted over the coronavirus last March.

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Root scoring 200 and waving to Randy Caddick, an England fan waiting for 10 months for the tour to happen, is why you have to love cricket <a href="https://t.co/Cw9uGF6r8F">pic.twitter.com/Cw9uGF6r8F</a>
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However, Lewis was asked to leave the stands at Galle on Day 1. On Day 2, Sri Lankan cricket board granted special permission to Lewis to watch the match.&nbsp;

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Root became the second-fastest and seventh England batsman to 8,000 Test runs. He overtook former England skipper to achieve the feat in 178 innings. Kevin Pietersen remains the fastest England batsman, who crossed 8,000 runs in 176 innings.&nbsp;

England ended their innings with a massive lead of 286 runs over hosts. But Sri Lankan opener fought back and scored 90-0 at tea on the third day.

English skipper Joe Root smashed a double ton against Sri Lanka on Saturday and his heartwarming gesture while celebrating the feat. Root acknowledged the applause the teammates and also waved his bat to the only spectator present in the ground.

English skipper Joe Root smashed a double ton against Sri Lanka on Saturday and his heartwarming gesture while celebrating the feat. Root acknowledged the applause the teammates and also waved his bat to the only spectator present in the ground. ALSO READ: Shane Warne trolls Rishabh Pant fluorescent rimmed-goggles; netizens respond This spectator is none other than Rob Lewis, the English fan who waited for 10 months to watch the England team in action. Lewis had decided to stay in Sri Lanka after the original tour was aborted over the coronavirus last March. Root scoring 200 and waving to Randy Caddick, an England fan waiting for 10 months for the tour to happen, is why you have to love cricket pic.twitter.com/Cw9uGF6r8F — Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) January 16, 2021 × However, Lewis was asked to leave the stands at Galle on Day 1. On Day 2, Sri Lankan cricket board granted special permission to Lewis to watch the match. ALSO READ: Ind vs Aus, 4th Test: Thunderstorm plays spoilsport as India end Day 2 at 62/2 Root became the second-fastest and seventh England batsman to 8,000 Test runs. He overtook former England skipper to achieve the feat in 178 innings. Kevin Pietersen remains the fastest England batsman, who crossed 8,000 runs in 176 innings. England ended their innings with a massive lead of 286 runs over hosts. But Sri Lankan opener fought back and scored 90-0 at tea on the third day.

WATCH: Joe Root's heartwarming gesture after scoring double ton against Sri Lanka

An England cricket fan who waited 10 months in Sri Lanka to watch his team play was ushered away by police before a ball had been bowled in the first Test on Thursday.

Rob Lewis, who flew out last March before the original tour was aborted over the coronavirus, and decided to stay until England returned, said he was "very frustrated" by the turn of events.

Lewis was ordered off the historic ramparts of Galle Fort, a vantage point which overlooks the city's cricket ground, just after the national anthems. No spectators are allowed inside the stadium.

"I am very frustrated. I waited 10 months to watch this match and the police have kicked me out," Lewis told AFP.

"At least I managed to sing 'Jerusalem'," he added.

During his stay in Sri Lanka, Lewis has worked remotely as a web designer and done stints as a nightclub DJ.

He visited Galle Fort on Saturday to map out his fallback as it became clear that no spectators will be allowed at the ground.

Lewis said he was warned in advance that he would only get restricted access to the ramparts. Three banners that he put up were also removed.

"I am going to see the police (chief)," he said. "All I want to do is watch the match."

"They gave me half-an-hour to put up three banners and go. That's all," Lewis added.&nbsp;

"There will be another nine days of play and I hope I will be able to get permission to go up there again."

Sri Lankan police banned all visitors from the 16th-century ramparts, a favourite venue for locals who want to avoid paying for tickets, officially for security reasons.

But a few journalists were allowed to cover the match from the fort.

Fans and media were barred from the stadium because of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 50,000 people and killed nearly 250 in the South Asian nation.

Sri Lankan journalist Rex Clementine scaled the ramparts to keep up his record of covering every Test in Sri Lanka since 2000.&nbsp;

"I want to maintain my record even if they don't allow reporters to the grounds," he said.

Soldiers and security personnel in hazmat suits were posted around the stadium and checked the few people allowed in.

An England cricket fan who waited 10 months in Sri Lanka to watch his team play was ushered away by police before a ball had been bowled in the first Test on Thursday.

An England cricket fan who waited 10 months in Sri Lanka to watch his team play was ushered away by police before a ball had been bowled in the first Test on Thursday. Rob Lewis, who flew out last March before the original tour was aborted over the coronavirus, and decided to stay until England returned, said he was "very frustrated" by the turn of events. Lewis was ordered off the historic ramparts of Galle Fort, a vantage point which overlooks the city's cricket ground, just after the national anthems. No spectators are allowed inside the stadium. "I am very frustrated. I waited 10 months to watch this match and the police have kicked me out," Lewis told AFP. "At least I managed to sing 'Jerusalem'," he added. During his stay in Sri Lanka, Lewis has worked remotely as a web designer and done stints as a nightclub DJ. He visited Galle Fort on Saturday to map out his fallback as it became clear that no spectators will be allowed at the ground. Lewis said he was warned in advance that he would only get restricted access to the ramparts. Three banners that he put up were also removed. "I am going to see the police (chief)," he said. "All I want to do is watch the match." "They gave me half-an-hour to put up three banners and go. That's all," Lewis added. "There will be another nine days of play and I hope I will be able to get permission to go up there again." Sri Lankan police banned all visitors from the 16th-century ramparts, a favourite venue for locals who want to avoid paying for tickets, officially for security reasons. But a few journalists were allowed to cover the match from the fort. Fans and media were barred from the stadium because of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 50,000 people and killed nearly 250 in the South Asian nation. Sri Lankan journalist Rex Clementine scaled the ramparts to keep up his record of covering every Test in Sri Lanka since 2000. "I want to maintain my record even if they don't allow reporters to the grounds," he said. Soldiers and security personnel in hazmat suits were posted around the stadium and checked the few people allowed in.

England cricket fan waits 10 months for Sri Lanka Test - and gets kicked out

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WATCH: Joe Root's heartwarming gesture after scoring double ton against Sri Lanka

England cricket fan waits 10 months for Sri Lanka Test - and gets kicked out