Hussain: This was better than Pakistan

Nasser Hussain, England's victorious captain, rated this performance as better than England's victory in the Karachi twilight last December: "It's definitely better than Pakistan," he said.

He remarked on the incredible third and final day, where a record twenty-two wickets fell: "It is one of the most unusual games to say the least. Unbelievable; we turn up this morning and what a day we had. We didn't quite expect that to happen."

He talked of coming back from the innings defeat in the first Test match in Galle. "We were outplayed in the first game, but we showed a lot of character to come back. Every time the players have been asked, they have come back," he explained.

Hussain injured his left thigh whilst batting yesterday, and there was a doubt as to whether he would field today. However, he fielded for the entirety of the innings, albeit slowly, and came into bat at number seven to push England towards victory. He said, "I wasn't originally going to field, but you can't just sit in the pavilion with three days to go."

He gave credit to England's 'A' tours, which had provided experience of Sri Lankan conditions to himself and man-of-the-match, Graham Thorpe. "It says a lot for 'A' Tours. Me and Thorpey both got some runs then (1991)," he reasoned. He also praised the England coach, Duncan Fletcher and his back room staff: "The character and resilience of the team comes a lot from our coach."

He said that he would be sad to leave the players for the One-Day International series beginning next Friday. Hussain returns to England to recover from his injuries.

"I enjoy being with these lads and I enjoy being with coach. I wish them all the best in the One-Day Internationals."

He said that it is no secret that England's players were looking to the Ashes series in the summer: "Success breeds success; we want more and more," he said.