Umpiring in these hot, pressurised conditions is extremely difficult but, frankly, the standard should be better than this

Jonathan Agnew

Umpire Jayaprakash signalled Trescothick's dismissal

This often affects touring teams more than the home players and there are already dangerous signs of this England team developing a siege mentality.

The players are starting to visibly question umpiring decisions, with Graeme Hick the latest player to find himself in the dock.

And I am not convinced that their request to turn their three-day game into a one-day match will help anyone but the Sri Lankans.

This is the only cricket England will have between the end of this Test and the start of the second game a week on Wednesday.

True, long coach journeys can be annoying and it is not pleasant sitting in cramped conditions before and after a day's play.

England see an appeal waved away

But does the England management really believe that a one-dayer is sufficient practice between now and next Wednesday?

Or more to the point, does the management feel that the players will be better prepared for the Test as a result?

Surely not, and the Sri Lankans must be laughing their socks off.

Arduous journeys are all part and parcel of touring in this part of the world.

In my view, this request to stay in the relative comfort of Colombo's nets rather than take the opportunity for match practice is a mistake.

England must bat at least until tea on the final day before they can even begin to feel that they have saved this match.

But with patience, a change of luck and a positive attitude, it is not necessarily beyond them.