Andy Flower confronted the match officials today as England fought to hang on to their status as the world’s top-ranked team.
England must win this match to stop South Africa replacing them as Test cricket’s No1 side but Sri Lanka were 202 for four after Mahela Jayawardene celebrated his second century of the series.
Before Jayawardene’s heroics in this Second Test, there was controversy when Flower appeared angry as TV umpire Rod Tucker reprieved Sri Lanka batsman Thilan Samaraweera, who England were convinced had been caught at short leg by Alastair Cook off Steve Finn for 36.
When umpire Asad Rauf turned down England’s appeal, captain Andrew Strauss called for a review as the players were convinced the ball had touched Samaraweera’s glove before being gathered by Cook.
After studying replays for about four minutes, Australian official Tucker decided there were not enough grounds to overturn Rauf’s verdict, much to the irritation of Flower, who quickly made his feelings known to Tucker.
Coaches are allowed by the ICC to seek clarity about umpire’s decision, but Flower appeared frustrated when he was talking to Tucker.
Samaraweera made only 18 more runs, but in that time he added 47 more with Jayawardene, registering a 124-run stand that put Sri Lanka back in control of the game after Jimmy Anderson had taken three early wickets.
England were perhaps aggrieved because in Galle, Cook had originally been given not out in the second innings when Sri Lanka claimed a catch at slip off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.
Even though HotSpot is not part of the Decision Review System, Bruce Oxenford, who was the TV umpire on that occasion, saw fit to uphold Sri Lanka’s referral and dismiss Cook.
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Flower’s move was not the first example of England struggling to keep their cool this winter. Strauss appeared to remonstrate with the umpires during the first innings in Galle after he was given out on review, while during a warm-up match against a Sri Lankan Development XI, England were angry when batsman Dilruwan Perera refused to walk when Strauss claimed a catch at slip.
