Newspapers mock Sri Lankan team after the defeat against Bangladesh

Bangladesh, in their 100th Test match, showcased their brilliant all-round performance with an incredible 4-wicket victory over fellow Asians Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval in Colombo on Sunday. The Islanders termed their loss against the Bangla Tigers’ as the biggest embarrassment in their history of Test Cricket.

Sri Lanka’s leading English daily “The Island.” carried out an obituary note in its Monday issue terming March 19th, 2017 as ‘the darkest day in Sri Lankan cricket’. It also brought out an obituary card, similar to that of the well-known legendary obituary notice by England’s Sporting Times after England’s massive victory over Australia in August 1882.

“March 19th 2017 will go down in history as the darkest day in Sri Lankan cricket as world’s youngest cricketing nation Bangladesh stunned the hosts to record their maiden Test win over Sri Lanka at P. Sara Oval yesterday,” read the Island, which also carried a cartoon featuring the cricket board president Thilanga Sumathipala carrying the coffin of its national team.

The paper was very critical of the Team’s dismal performance against Bangladesh, with the daily reading: The Sri Lankans were cocky and their attitude shocking. Day four began with Sri Lanka still 75 runs behind. The batsmen below number six were told to relax and arrive at the ground at 9:30 am, 30 minutes prior to start of play. It was as if the Sri Lankans were 300 runs ahead.

The Sri Lankan team worked its way with the P.Sara Oval’s wicket for the Test match. A slow wicket was called for hoping that it would allow the Islanders to have a high-scoring draw to complete another series win at home. They were, however, outsmarted by Bangladesh’s coach Chandika Hathurusinghe who had plied all his trade all his life at the Tamil Union in the Island.

Chandika also had spent a few seasons at the Sara Oval, playing First class cricket under S.Skandakumar and co. It also meant that the opening batsman knew the wicket at the Sara Oval in the back of his palms.