A red herring

At the start of this Test - or at least, from the moment that everything started to go pear-shaped for England - the television broadcasters plucked a stat from the record-books, informing the viewer that the average first-innings total at the SSC was a meagre 297.

Even at the time it felt like a red herring, and when efforts such as Bangladesh's 90 all out in 2001-02 are taken into account, it is little wonder. But there is one stat about the ground that all opposition teams should know and fear. Since England swept in and filched the series here in 2000-01, Sri Lanka have averaged a rather overwhelming 550 in their first innings - a figure that has just got bigger still.

With their metaphorical fortress here, and a real-life one down in Galle, it suddenly becomes clear why Sri Lanka have not lost a home series since England were last in town. So it is no disgrace for England's valiant challenge to falter at this critical point of the series. But that doesn't stop it from being hugely disappointing.

Today, Sri Lanka batted with a purity of purpose that England have been unable to replicate all series. England have had purpose alright, but of the niggling, disruptive kind that, in a parallel universe, might have driven the Sri Lankans to distraction by this stage of proceedings. Instead it has intensified their focus, and turned a team of apparent bit-part players into worldbeaters.

That is the aspect that ought to have England wincing this evening. With Marvan Atapattu injured, and the class acts of Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya back in the pavilion, England were not without hope. At home, Mahela Jayawardene's credentials are impeccable of course, and Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a sparkling century at Kandy. But Thilan Samaraweera and Upul Chandana used to be regarded as spinners who could bat a bit. A decent Test attack ought to have been able to test them rather more than this.

Instead, the only doubts on display were in the performances of England's bowlers. Gareth Batty - another spinner who can bat a bit - now looks as though he could do with a touch of the Samaraweeras himself, if he is to justify his continued selection, while James Anderson was a great disappointment. His prolonged absence from the team should have enabled him to sit back and reflect on a crazy first year of international cricket. Instead he slotted straight back in where he left off against South Africa last summer. But he is young, and it is hot out here. With some more overs under his belt, he should be in better shape to take on the West Indies in March.

It is still not quite over for England, although they will need to be at their killjoy best if they are to salvage this game now. The pitch has held up remarkably well for the first three days of this game, and they do have the recent example of the Lord's Test in 2002 to guide them in their resistance. On that occasion, they conceded a first-innings lead of 280 and were asked to follow on with two whole days remaining, only for Michael Vaughan and Mark Butcher to ride to the rescue with a pair of centuries. But with Christmas around the corner, and the chance of an extra day's shopping before they fly home, England might not be quite so resilient this time.