Umpiring decisions leave England reeling

England face a battle to save the opening Test against Sri Lanka after contentious umpiring decisions contributed to them losing…

England face a battle to save the opening Test against Sri Lanka after contentious umpiring decisions contributed to them losing two late wickets at the International Stadium today.

The tourists, forced to follow on after being dismissed 217 adrift on 253 after Sri Lanka posted a first-innings total of 470 for five declared, were progressing well towards wiping out that deficit with only 16 overs of the fourth day left.

But umpire Peter Manuel and A V Jayaprakesh intervened and England lost Marcus Trescothick and Nasser Hussain in the space of five overs and will resume the final day still 99 adrift on 118 for two.

The officials had already caused resentment in the England camp with several decisions as they lost six for 45 in 25 overs with Graeme Hick being called for a hearing with match referee Hamunant Singh for showing open dissent at his dismissal.

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He could be joined by his captain who shook his head and spread his hands in disbelief at Manuel's judgment to pronounce him leg before to Muttiah Muralitharan despite taking a huge step forward down the pitch.

Those decisions followed the dismissal of Alec Stewart the previous evening when he was given out leg before by Manuel to left-arm spinner Sanath Jayasuriya to a ball that pitched outside leg stump and hit him high on the pad.

PA