Mike Selvey in the Guardian writes that the England XI got what they deserved in the Stanford 20/20 for 20. In simple cricket terms they were not even second-rate, offering an insipid, technically inept, strategically bankrupt and mentally flabby performance when the situation demanded excellence.
Too many gripes and moans - the sort that emanate from those taking a loftier view of themselves than they can justify - have emerged not to have provided a distraction. The hotel was unsuitable (for what?); Sir Allen Stanford had offended them through a bit of harmless byplay with their partners; the host also came blundering unannounced into their dressing room, a sacrosanct place; the pitch was wrong; the lights too low and glary; the outfield like Pietersen's former haircut rather than his current one.
In the Barbados-based Nation, Ezra Stuart writes that from the Superstars' point of view, one lesson to be learnt is that practice makes perfect and that if you don't prepare properly, prepare to fail.
As Ramnaresh Sarwan rightly said, the WICB should look at similar training camps ahead of a series. Credit must be given to head coach Eldine Baptiste, who was overlooked by the WICB for its top coaching post a few years ago.
In the Independent, Stephen Brenkley says the performance can easily be a chapter in a self-help book, or It might even be a whole book: How not to win a million.
From the start, England wanted the money – who wouldn't want a million dollars? – but did not want to be seen to want it. They were painfully aware that the mood among many commentators was that the Big Match was an abomination of sport, existing only to fuel the ego of its architect, the Texan multibillionaire, Allen Stanford, and lacking context in a sporting sense.
In the Times, Simon Barnes slams Kevin Pietersen's "irresponsible" shot, one that made certain that England revived their ancient tradition of trade union collapses - one out, all out.
The absurd Stanford enterprise has effectively destabilised the England team and their leadership at a hideously sensitive time. England are about to go to India, and the Australians will tell you how hard that is at present.
Pietersen's side may not feel it at this moment but losing the match could be a blessing in disguise. Yes, after tax, they may be £350,000 out of pocket, but perhaps the defeat will spur the players on to great deeds in the next 12 months, writes Angus Fraser in the Independent.
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