'The Times' on Monday reported: ``Defeat beckoned them in their opening match at Taunton before Russel Arnold beat an unlikely path to safety with a double century; secondly, they will have done so among those that saw fit to grant the touring team a solitary Test against England. So far, they have done little to support their protestations that they deserve better treatment''.
``The Sunday Telegraph'' version of the Sri Lankan collapse under the headline 'Sri Lankans get burned on the beach' was: ``For sheer surrealism, the pair of boyos masquerading as mother and baby certainly took some beating. Resplendent in wigs and nappy, linked by ball and chain, here was a metaphor, however unwitting, for Sri Lanka's struggle for acceptance as a reputable five-day force. World Cup holders they may be, but events at Cardiff did little for their credibility over the conventional course''.
Sri Lanka will play only their third Test (fifth overall) in England since becoming a fully-fledged Test nation 17 years ago at the Oval on August 27. Already the same old rumblings that they are not good enough at the highest level have begun from what has already been appearing in the media here.
One of the most outspoken critics of English critic, Michael Parkinson wrote in 'The Daily Telegraph': ``In my opinion what is lamentable and foolish about the present situation of English cricket is that it has been brought about by many years of neglect. In other words, the need for change has been apparent for some time. It is 11 years since England had a decent Test team, but we've had a second rate system for much longer than that.
``There are people within the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) and the counties who see the need for urgent and bold action. But they do nothing. They seem restrained at being thought 'contemptible' bound by the conventions of an old-boy network. It is not surprising. In the final analysis, they are all - flat-earthers and free-thinkers, reactionaries and radicals - paid-up members of the same club''. Meanwhile, Russel Arnold, the unsung hero won plaudits for his record breaking double century against Somerset at Taunton.
'The Daily Telegraph' said: ``Elegant and orthodox, he eased shots through the off side and wide of mid-on with languid mastery against bowling which, though lacking in experience, was enthusiastic and persistent and also supported by good fielding. The Sri Lankan view of Arnold is that at present he can be too easily contained. The quality of his timing and placing make this hard to credit''.
'The Times' which described Arnold as ``a young batsman with a wondrous sense of timing'' went onto suggest that he should in the near future, play county or league cricket in England to gain further experience. An advice the 25-year-old left-hander should seriously consider.