• Sri Lanka Board XI v England XI, Colombo

Swann lambasts 'cheat' Perera

Dilruwan Perera made few friends on the England team when he refused to walk after appearing to edge a shot to Andrew Strauss at slip © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Swann doesn't fear Panesar threat
  
• Match report: Bowlers confirm easy opening tour win
  

England bowler Graeme Swann has criticised Sri Lankan batsman Dilruwan Perera heavily in the wake of Saturday's warm-up game, saying the 29-year-old cheated following a heated incident in Colombo.

England coasted to victory by an innings and 15 runs against a Sri Lanka Board XI as they continued their preparations for the first Test next week, but an unsavoury incident unfolded when Perera failed to walk after edging low to Andrew Strauss at slip off a James Anderson delivery.

Perera refused to accept Strauss's word that the ball had carried, was given not out, and an on-field row subsequently ensued.

"I'm just glad I live in an age where DRS is in place," said Swann. "The batsman stood there knowing 100 per cent he was out.

"He chose to cheat in my view, he opened himself up to the level of abuse that was coming to him and I'm glad Straussy was there as somebody with a bit of nous to calm things down.

"Straussy was miffed his integrity was questioned and I wanted to kill the batsman because he was cheating. He was stood right next to me with a smug look on his face.

"It was just cheating in my view, but we live in an age where it's accepted in Test cricket if you nick it and don't walk. I don't agree with that."

Swann continued: "I understand when people say, 'I'll leave it to the umpire' but again I'd question their morality.

"The same people claim catches and say, 'I caught that, you have to take my word for it'. It's horrific double standards and against the spirit of the game. If you know you're out, then you walk off."

England face a Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI in Colombo this week before the first Test gets underway next Monday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.