BBC SPORT | Cricket | England | Captaincy in question

At Edgbaston, Muttiah Muralitharan, who himself doubted whether he should have been thrust back into action so soon after shoulder surgery, was made the lynchpin of the attack.

The unorthodox spinner, so often Sri Lanka's salvation, bowled through 64 overs - more than a third of the total.

And, amid rumours of a dressing room spat, the third Test at Old Trafford began and ended with questionable decision-making.

Jayasuriya stated before the start of the match that he would drop down the order, making room for Russel Arnold to open the batting.

And his predecessor for one thought that this showed lack of appetite for the fight.

"It is a decision made without consideration for the way that it will be received by the opposition," Arjuna Ranatunga wrote in his Sunday newspaper column.

Muralitharan is attended to by the physio
Muralitharan was over-bowled at Edgbaston
"Sanath may feel he is not batting well and that is understandable, but to protect himself and to throw into the opener's slot Russel Arnold, in very difficult conditions, beggars belief.

"Most significantly, the message it sends to the opposition is that the captain doesn't fancy it. And if he isn't up for the fight, what about his team?"

Arnold's promotion proved a success, his more orthodox approach bringing his third Test century - all of which have been made during his infrequent appearances as opener.

But, after Ashley Giles' surprise late strike, Jayasuriya was again thrust to the fore, and failed to contain the attacking approach of Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan.

A field spread around the boundary was fine when 50 runs were needed off 36 deliveries.

But, once the asking rate came down to a run a ball, there was no one in to defend against singles.

Body language

Former chief of selectors Sidath Wettimuny is at a loss to explain the team's lack of enthusiasm throughout the series.

"They have been on a high through the last nine Tests and suddenly they're on the defensive," Wettimuny says.

"They seem to have lost confidence and that has shown in their body language."

Wettimuny, though, puts the blame for the players' approach not on Jayasuriya but on the team management and the men at the top of Sri Lankan cricket.

During the third Test, it became clear that neither Chandra Schaffter, appointed manager for this trip, nor bowling coach Daryl Foster will be with the team after the tour finishes.

Schaffter will be replaced by Ajith Jayasekera, who managed the team during that nine-Test winning streak.

"Some of these guys need talking to all the time," Wettimuny says of what is largely a young team.

"They fall short in confidence and this is something we have seen for a long time in our cricket."

Board chaos

Both Wettimuny and Ranatunga point fingers at a board structure that is riven with politics and short of members with experience of Test cricket.

Wettimuny expresses surprise that the team has done so well after four years of chaos at board level.

"It is up to the board and the management to change the team's approach and attitude," he says.

Mahela Jayawardene
Jayawardene is a possible future captain
"These are good players and there is no reason why they should not do well."

Jayasuriya's place is safe at least in that there are few credible replacements.

Current vice-captain is Marvan Atapattu, not noticeable for his leadership in the field.

Wettimuny was responsible for the selection of Mahela Jayawardene as deputy five years ago, saying that he has all the attributes of a future skipper.

But Jayawardene has prospered with the bat after being relieved of the job.

He may not be the best tactician in Tests, but Jayasuriya has proved his worth in the one-day game and is an explosive opener.

And with little Test action between now and the World Cup - a home date with Bangladesh and a short series in South Africa - it may make sense not to rock the boat now.

"They should not make changes at this stage - it is not the right time," says Wettimuny.

Should Sri Lanka's negativity creep into their one-day play during the forthcoming triangular series in England, though, the calls will increase for those changes to be made.