Vaughan's return may swing key encounter

England and Sri Lanka sreturn to the scene of their crimes tomorrow. With both sides desperate for a win in the VB Series to earn the right to be marmalised by Australia in the finals, it is to be hoped that they do not perform a reconstruction. From England's point of view that wish will also extend to the result.

Four years ago in the corresponding triangular one-day tournament, the countries took part in an ugly and bizarre match here, the like of which had never been seen. In one of the most beautiful sporting arenas on the planet, surrounded by parkland and a tranquil river, and overlooked by a handsome cathedral, both sides committed grave misdeeds that besmirched the game. It was like watching all those murders being committed amid the dreaming spires of Oxford in Inspector Morse.

"It was the least enjoyable game I've played in," said Alec Stewart, who was England's captain that day and is one of four players still in the squad. "There were a few incidents that you don't want to see on a cricket field ever. The fact that we got 300 and lost topped it off." The tie, which had been given a big build-up, was thrown into turmoil in the 18th over when Sri Lanka's magical spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, was no-balled for throwing. It had been widely predicted that the umpire, Ross Emerson, would make the call but it was stunning when he actually did so.

Nothing that happens here at the Oval tomorrow is likely to match the events of January 1999. For a start, the notoriously contrary Australian umpires have declared peace on Murali's bowling action, so there was no prospect of a similarly dramatic catalyst and Murali will miss the match anyway after pulling up with a hamstring strain in Brisbane yesterday. His absence will dramatically alter his team's mindset and approach and diminish their chances.

But the match is still likely to be fraught with anxiety. There was some evidence of ill will between the teams in their last encounter in Sydney on Monday when an England appeal for a catch behind was turned down. Since the reprieved man was Kumar Sangakkara, who has never been England's cup of Ceylon tea because he is never short of opinions, the potential for fractiousness was clear. England, too, possess a player or two who are not reluctant to offer advice to the opposition.

But Stewart and the others (Nick Knight was the recipient of "the throw," Nasser Hussain and Adam Hollioake also played) might like to remind their mates of the 1999 drama. Play was held up for 14 minutes while Sri Lanka's captain Arjuna Ranatunga threatened to lead his team off and concede the game. When it resumed, the tension never left the proceedings. Throughout England's innings Ranatunga argued with umpire Emerson.

As the match went to the wire there was pushing and shoving, feigned head butts, which were pretty near the real thing, and a mean-spiritedness that was scarcely credible. Emerson, the man who was utterly certain that he had seen Murali throw, then refused to refer a run out appeal against Mahela Jayawardene which replays showed was clearly out. Jayawardene scored a century. Finally, the man at the eye of the storm, Murali came in and smeared the winning runs with two balls left. The fact that one of the floodlights failed after a fire only enhanced the taut atmosphere.

"It snowballed into more than just a competitive game," Stewart said. "They were obviously pretty uptight, we got pretty uptight. But what's happened has happened and since then we've played each other on numerous occasions and I think that the relationship between both sides is a pretty good one now. Very competitive and I think respect is being shown by both teams to one another.

"This game is basically a semi-final. If we win that and then win on Sunday then we're definitely through. But if we win on Friday we've got a better than good chance as they've lost today."

England's side should be immediately strengthened by the return of Michael Vaughan, who will bat at No 3. It is common currency now that Vaughan is England's top batsman by a distance and an automatic selection in any form of the game. But that has only just happened: this match will be only his 10th one-day international.

His presence will allow Hussain to bat at four, with the rest of the middle order still likely to be a moveable feast. Where Stewart, once the dashing opener, fits in, is not clear. Recently, he has been as low as eight in the order, which seems a waste of his talents. It is another example of England's somewhat distracted planning in one-day cricket. Stewart is not exactly happy at the position but nor is he railing against it.

"Up until last year, I've always batted in the first three," he said. "I know I'm batting where I am because of the experience around, a bit of a know how if you like. I'm learning to play it, to hit the type of balls you get at the stage in the innings, yorkers and full tosses. But I time the ball rather than beat it up." As long as the ball is the only thing which is beaten up tomorrow in an exciting match, everybody will be happy.