``You cannot expect to beat any team easily,'' he told a news conference after the first cricket Test against Zimbabwe which Sri Lanka won by eight wickets. ``This is not club cricket or a friendly game. This is a Test match. They are an improved side compared to what they were when we played them last. That's what people should understand. They are not a crap side but a very good side''.
He was answering a question posed by one of the pressmen as to why Sri Lanka could not win the previous day.
Ranatunga said they fought back specially in the second innings. ``They had a bad run in the first innings,'' he said. ``We did not bowl badly in the second innings. We bowled well. But that's how the game goes and what Test cricket is all about. You have a bad innings and you fight back and play a better innings in the second.
Ranatunga further said: ``We bowled pretty well to get them out for 140, though they put up a good defence. They batted well in the second innings and that's why we had to get a few runs for victory. The wicket had a little turn but it was getting slower and slower. You can't expect to finish a Test match in three days.''
The captain of the Zimbabwe team Allistair Campbell said they had a big fight on their hands especially in the second innings. ``Our performance had been encouraging and we hope to continue that,'' he said. ``We had to get used to the climatic conditions and also we were up against some good bowling and batting. Having conceded a big first innings lead, we felt something had to be done and we put up a pretty good performance in the second innings on a turning wicket. This should stand in good stead for the next Test in Colombo. We will go to Colombo, have a good look at the wicket before making any changes in the side.''
Duleep Mendis, the Manager of the Sri Lanka cricket team said that the Zimbabweans are a much improved side since they last saw them but that they were not getting enough Test cricket. ``There is no doubt that they are good side and therefore you cannot take them very lightly, in the second Test,'' he said. ``When we get back to Colombo and after having a look at the wicket the final team will be selected, even the squad will be picked later.''
Answering a question on the performance of Jayantha Silva, Duleep Mendis said that Jayantha Silva was not upto expectations and that they will have to analyse his performance before taking any decision. Likewise there are so many others whoose performance they will have to look into before selecting the side. This will be done only after having a look at the wicket prepared for the Second Test.
Mendis said they have to play on whatever wickets that are given, whether it is in India, Kandy or the SSC grounds. ``That is test cricket,'' he said. ``You will have to change and adjust yourself according to the conditions prevailing. It is true that fast bowlers will expect seaming tracks and spinners turning wickets but you don't get that.''
Answering a question on a possible run out decision where the television cameras had failed to focus on this incident, Duleep Mendis said he really does not know whether it was out or not out. ``But it is good if you could have everything captured by the camera as these days with the modern technology, they are trying to be perfect. It is unfortunate that they missed this particular one. It is up to the authorities to look into this.''
Malcolm Jarvis the Manager of the Zimbabwe team said that Marvan Atapattu played a beautiful innings. ``He batted well and was steady at all times,'' he said. ``He punished the bad balls and had a lot of patience and concentration. Their spinners bowled too many bad balls on a good batting wicket. On the second day the wicket was turning a little.''