The subject that is imperative today is the warmest congratulations to Sri Lanka for as conclusive a victory as could be imagined, the details of which to English eyes and ears hold sad, salutary lessons. Our opponents confirmed at the Oval that the unhibited freedom of their batting, which brought them victory in the World Cup, expresses their enjoyment of the game as naturally at Test level as at any other.
As for the performance of Muralitharan, one could only marvel and admire as perfect an exhibition of the art of slow bowling as has ever been in this country. Warne is a master of back-of-the-hand wrist-spin. This Sri Lankan uses an extraordinary flexible wrist to baffle from a model length with constant changes of flight and degree of spin.''
Swanton goes on to write that the English supporters have a ``self inflicted wound to stomach in the surly comments of (English) coach David Lloyd.