Vaughan criticises umpire over controversial catch

England captain Michael Vaughan criticised umpire Darryl Harper's decision not to use technology on a crucial slip catch of Kevin Pietersen on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Vaughan said common sense should have prompted Harper to use technology to examine whether Chamara Silva at second slip had scooped up the ball before it touched the ground.

The controversial decision was a turning point in the day as England closed on 258 for five, having won the toss.

"Common sense has to prevail in that kind of instance if you are not 100 per cent sure," Vaughan told the media.

"I think the replays have proved it did touch the ground," he added. "You should really use the technology. It is disappointing but we have to get on with it."

Pietersen was given out for one after edging his fifth delivery low to slip where Silva dived to parry the ball up behind him, allowing Kumar Sangakkara to hold the rebound.

Vaughan defended Pietersen's decision to stop halfway to the pavilion after team mates indicated that the ball might have bounced.

"He just felt it bounced and I guess he's been proven correct," said Vaughan. "The guy at the non-striker's end also thought it bounced. They are in the right to ask."

Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss said Silva was convinced the catch had been taken cleanly.

"It was one of those ones that, if referred to the TV umpire, would be not out because on television when you get so close to the ground you can't tell," he said.

Bayliss was pleased with the way Sri Lanka came back into the game in the final session, taking four wickets.

"To come back the way we did to slow them down in the second session and then to take four in the last session was a good effort," he said.

"It was like in Kandy where they showed some character to come back into the game.

"It is evenly poised at the moment -- I am sure England will be looking at 400 and we would like to keep them under 350."