One school of thought is that the players have brought this on themselves

Jonathan Agnew

Umpire Cooray is escorted off the field at the close

However, when the two teams came together here in Kandy, England felt the gloves were off - that they could appeal for anything knowing that if they picked up a favourable decision, they could remind people of their misfortune in Galle, and feel justified.

Sri Lanka believed the gloss had been taken off their victory in Galle, and are determined to prove they are the better team.

The local press has not helped either. Very little mention of the umpiring mistakes were made at Galle, yet here in Kandy there has been an outcry: 'BC Cooray bats for England' was one of this morning's headlines.

Come on! It is our job to report fairly and impartially: the media must not take sides over an issue as serious as this.

What is to be done? One school of thought is that the players have brought this on themselves: they are cheating each other and cannot complain when they get a bad decision themselves.

Jayasuriya is left bemused by his dismissal

However, this is virtually the level to which this game has descended now - and it is not pretty. This was never the way that cricket was supposed to be played.

The ill-feeling has spread beyond the boundary. Although they are staying in the same hotel, the players do not talk to each other so there is no opportunity to clear the air.

Perhaps the saddest thing of all is that we saw it coming, long before the first ball was bowled. In the short term, the onus is on the referee, Hanumant Singh, to restore some discipline through fines and suspensions.

Sad though that it is, it is the only way to bring the players into line.

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