Sri Lanka’s spirit and discipline juxtaposed the piss-takey approach and yeah-whatever attitude of their hosts
For England this was a weary, slightly seasick way to end the Test match summer. Not weary in the literal sense, although Chris Woakes looked tired and an injured Gus Atkinson was pointlessly over-bowled as Sri Lanka completed a beautifully clinical eight-wicket victory at the Oval.
But weary of spirit, weary of spectacle, filled with red-ball Weltschmerz. It was a strange, oddly tension-less day all round. Is this the promised end or vision of that horror? Dunno. But Pathum Nissanka is batting like a god. The Oval food court is half empty. Sri Lanka flags are flying in the freezing air of the Bedser Stand. There was life here. But what else is in that mix?
Written by Barney Ronay at the Kia Oval
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/sep/09/englands-end-of-term-slackness-forewarns-of-end-of-days-for-this-summer-sport under the title “England’s end-of-term slackness forewarns of end of days for this summer sport | Barney Ronay”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
