Cries from all quarters that matter asking the Englishmen to give the Lankans at least a three test series have fallen on deaf ears however well the Sri Lankans keep performing.
While all other test playing countries have appreciated Sri Lanka's rise in the established game and given them a series, England have still to respond similarly. As to when that will be a reality, your guess is as good as mine.
Also on our previous tours to the home of cricket, we were given the one off test in the Mecca of cricket Lord's. But this time round we have been pushed and asked to play at the London Oval.
It is every cricketer's dream to play at Lord's. Lord's has that special feeling and atmosphere that is lacking in other venues. When it comes to cricket playing at Lord's is the ultimate.
Sri Lankan cricketers such as Sidat Wettimuny, Duleep Mendis and Amal Silva have left their mark at Lord's by hitting up centuries. Mendis was unfortunate to miss twin centuries on this hallowed ground. Had he done so he would have joined a rare brand of batsmen who have score twin hundreds at Lord's.
If the Lankans perform well in the Test and have England second, then they could force the Lords at Lord's to have change of heart and give the Lankans more tests next time round.
Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga who is always exuding confidence told this writer that he is delighted with the talent given to him by the selectors. 'It is a good thing that the selectors have plonked on youth. They are our flag bearers of the future and I am sure they will come out better and able cricketers after this tour, said Ranatunga who must certainly be looking for that thing called luck which is so very important even in everyday life to play for his side when the test match time comes along.
Every Cricket Board probes avenues to get their cricketers to have a stint in England. The leagues and the county scene are packed with overseas cricketers. England with its varying weather conditions and wickets is the ideal grooming ground for talented cricketers. Our youngsters should come out polished cricketers after this tour.
In English conditions batsmen are expected to play on the front foot so as to negate the late movement of the ball and bowlers are expected to keep the ball well up so as to obtain late swing.
Medium pacers such as Pramodaya Wickremasinghe, Mario Villayarayen and Suresh Perera should meet with success provided they make it their business to keep the ball well up.
Batsmen of the calibre of Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena, Romesh Kaluvitharna and Chandika Hathurusinghe who play straight should score heavily. Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya should use their experience to be among the runs.
In this column on the day of the Singer Akai Nidahas trophy final we said that master batsman Sachin Tendulkar must be got out early otherwise Sri Lanka would have to do a lot of leather chasing. The Sri Lankan bowlers failed to do that and Tendulkar proved us right by bashing a hundred and together with Sarauv Ganguly who also piled up a hundred they were involved in a record breaking opening stand which gave the Indians victory.
The Diana Princess of Wales memorial match which will be played at Lord's on Saturday will see some of the best exponents of the game in action for a worthy cause.
Sri Lanka's two star batting craftsmen Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya have been honoured by being picked to play in this game. The action in the memorial game will be brought to TV viewers by Swarnavahini who will make a ball by ball relay.