Umpire 'shot to pieces' - Botham

Ian Botham believes Sri Lankan umpire B C Cooray is 'shot to pieces' after more controversial decisions in the second Test.

England's hopes of victory over Sri Lanka hang in the balance after two more umpiring decisions put them in trouble chasing 161.

Kumar Dharmasena survived a legitimate appeal for a pad-bat catch by Graham Thorpe off Ashley Giles before helping the hosts reach 250 all out.

And Cooray then produced two other contentious decisions to remove Marcus Trescothick and Nasser Hussain.

Chaminda Vaas' delivery to Trescothick pitched outside off-stump and appeared to be missing leg stump when it hit him on the pads.

England skipper Hussain followed three overs later, pushing forward and despite missing the ball, Sri Lanka appealed for a catch behind and Cooray lifted his finger.

Botham, speaking in his role as a summariser on Sky Sports, said: "One umpire in particular, BC Cooray - I think the guy is shot to pieces.

"He's been under enormous pressure here from day one

"On the second day of the game, there were headlines 'Cooray bats for England' and banners here this morning. He's really been put through it somewhat.

"But having said that, he has made a lot of very indifferent decisions. You only have to look at the one with Marcus Trescothick today - they must have changed the rules!

"I would say it was probably four or five inches down the leg side."