Hussain deserved his century

Sangakarra was given a terrible decision yesterday by Rudi Koertzen - the batsman was taken to hospital to have his arm X-rayed - and Nasser Hussain, who reached his first century in any form of cricket in more than a year, benefited twice along the way.

He ought to have been given out, caught at silly point off Muralitharan on 53 and 62, but on both occasions the Sri Lankan umpire ruled in Hussain's favour.

The reaction of the fielders was certainly more than simply disappointment and Murali had the closest thing to a young child's temper tantrum I have seen when the decisions were given against him.

It is important to make the point that these decisions have gone against the home team - who are currently 4-1 down in the match - after such a fuss was made about England's ill-fortune in Galle.

Rough decision

Having said all of that, Hussain thoroughly deserved every ounce of luck in this innings because of the cruel decisions he has picked up throughout the last year, which, for him, was a miserable experience.

If there was a rough decision going, the England captain picked it up.

His innings was a personal triumph, since his position at number three was being questioned.

Muralitharan: Close to a tantrum

His century should ensure that his preferred number three spot will remain his for the immediate future, but he will still be furious to have given his wicket away with only three quarters of an hour remaining when his priority should have been to start over again on the third morning.

Hussain was not the only one to enjoy some fortune: Graeme Hick surely can't believe that he was reprieved by BC Cooray when, on 0, he appeared to knock a return catch straight back to Muralitharan.

Perhaps this preyed on Mr Cooray's mind because, in Muralitharan next over, he fired Hick out lbw from a delivery that surely would have missed the leg stump.

Unless Hick makes the most of any second opportunity that comes his way, it will be almost impossible for Duncan Fletcher not to recall Michael Vaughan for the final Test.

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