One of the rickety makeshift stands, home to some of the legions of Union Jack clad supporters who have descended on Galle, collapsed today, but it rarely raised a ripple. Disconsolate players, perturbed administrators and patriotic supporters were more concerned about plummeting confidence in the umpires.

Hick is out Photo CricInfo

Tensions rose on the fourth day of the First Test Match in Galle as the wickets started to tumble and Sri Lanka started to take a firm grip on the match. Sri Lanka bowled out England this morning for 253. They enforced the follow-on and England, despite Marcus Trescothick and Michael Atherton compiling their third century stand in a seven-match liaison, face a tough fight tomorrow after losing two late wickets.

England left the stadium tonight seething with the incompetence of the umpiring in this match and their feelings boiled over on the pitch too. Earlier in the morning Graeme Hick stood his ground and raised his arms in honest innocence after being adjudged lbw by Peter Manuel, the Sri Lankan official in this match. After much deliberation and consideration of "his past record and sincerity" he received a one-match suspended sentence for his troubles.

Later, as the sun dipped from the sky, Hussain padded up to Muralitharan and was astonished to also be given out lbw by Manuel. He too stood his ground and shook his head in disbelief, but somehow escaped the attention of the match referee, Hanumant Singh.

Singh was not only concerned with the actions of the English players. He sent a letter to the Sri Lankan manager today that stated: "It is unfortunate that I have to refresh on the subject of unnecessary appealing." He went on to clarify that: "Players rushing towards the umpire with an appeal and appealing when it is clear and known to all that the batsmen is not out should be strictly avoided."

It is very true that the Sri Lankans are a noisy bunch. Sangakkara, in particular, is far too speculative for a man so well versed in the study of law. They, however, fairly point out that with men around the bat and spinners bowling the majority of the overs on a powder-puff pitch, there is always going to be a lot of appealing.

One Sri Lankan player though summed up the current situation succinctly: "The problem we now have is that the umpiring is so inconsistent. We have had decisions not given that should have been and been given decisions that shouldn't."

England have a right to feel hard done by, but it is perhaps not quite as bad as they appear to be making out. Stewart's decision last night was awful, but those of Hick and Trescothick today were not clangers and Hussain cannot expect to stay if he pads up to Muralitharan's straight ball.

There is the potential for the issue to boil over. Atherton, who batted phlegmatically throughout the afternoon for an unbeaten 44 and undoubtedly holds the key to England's survival tomorrow, was not averse to letting the close fielders know what he felt about their constant gabbling and the Sri Lankans are never shy to add their rupee worth.

England though would be best served if they jettisoned their suspicious thoughts and concentrated on survival tomorrow. On the evidence of today the top order will have to perform because the tailenders are going to struggle.

England started the day disastrously. Trescothick sparred outside his off stump to Chaminda Vaas's third ball of the day and was caught behind for 122. Hick followed in the fifth over of Vaas's spell for five and Robert Croft's 75-ball resistance came to an end when he was snapped up at second slip off Jayasuriya to leave England 239 for seven.

They still needed 32 runs to avoid the follow-on, but with Craig White in cracking form it still looked likely. He was desperately unlucky, however, to crash a full-bloodied drive off Jayasuriya into the reinforced shins of Russel Arnold at silly point. The ball ballooned up and an excited Sangakkara grabbed the catch.

Caddick caught Jayawardena Photo AFP

The innings was then wrapped up within the space of five balls as both Andrew Caddick and Ashley Giles were brilliantly caught in the slips. England were 18 short of the follow-on and despite early talk of Sri Lanka having a second dig they enforced.

The afternoon session was not a happy one for the Sri Lankans as Atherton and Trescothick kept back the spinners for over three hours. Both batsmen survived difficult chances, Atherton at short leg when on 12 and Trescothick behind the wicket on 14, and numerous lbw shouts, but they looked at ease and drained the zest from the Sri Lankans, who are one bowler short in this match.

Finally, in the last hour of play, Sri Lanka broke through as Trescothick tried to sweep Jayasuriya, who was bowling around the wicket into the rough. There was a tangle of arms and bat followed by excited screaming, which ended in Trescothick being out for 57.

Seven overs later Hussain padded up to Muralitharan and was lbw for one. Graham Thorpe and Atherton survived to the close to leave England on 118 for two. Sanath Jayasuriya knows too well that they have to shift Atherton: "Atherton is the key for us because he is the one who has the capability to bat all day."

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