Darren Gough will attempt to rise above the frustrations involved in bowling on the sub-continent and avoid any flashpoints with umpires in the series against Sri Lanka.

Gough and the rest of the England attack had to use all their self-control during the 165-run victory over the Board President's XI in Colombo when appeal after appeal was rejected, which delayed their win for several hours.

The tourists know from experience of Pakistan that they can expect more of the same during this week's final warm-up match in Matara prior to the start of next week's opening Test at nearby Galle.

But they know any reaction, no matter how small, could cause a major incident on such a sensitive tour, with the two sides meeting for the first time since their acrimonious one-day international in Adelaide two years ago.

On that occasion, Alec Stewart called rival captain Arjuna Ranatunga a ''disgrace'' after he led his side off the field in protest at Muttiah Muralitharan being no-balled and relations between the two sides became strained.

With that in mind, England do not want a confrontation with any umpires, although Gough insists the tourists' continual appeals during the previous match was just part of playing the game.

''I don't think our appealing got out of hand - it's the way you play the game,'' he insisted.

''You can't get a wicket without appealing and it's up to the umpires then to make the decision.

''It can be very frustrating when things don't go for you because some days you get the decision and on others you don't, and it's up to us to keep our cool.

''It's not easy sometimes, but you just have to get on with it. If you think you've got a batsman out and the umpire says not out then that's just tough.''

Gough's philosophy is all very well in the cold light of day, but in the intense heat of Sri Lanka and the pressure cooker atmosphere of a Test match, it may well be more difficult to remain as composed.

''It's 100 degrees here, it's very hard work and some time on the tour I'm sure somebody is going to lose their temper. But there's nothing wrong with that - that's the game of cricket,'' claimed Gough.

''If it's going down the leg-side I don't think you'll find many England players appealing. But if I think it is close then I will appeal."

England's frustrations at the standard of umpiring will be cooled by the arrival of their wives and girlfriends this week and their build-up to the Test has already received an unexpected lift with the news that prolific off-spinner Muralitharan may miss the start of the series.

He injured his groin while fielding in Sri Lanka's final one-day international defeat against New Zealand in Christchurch.

''There's not much we can do but put ice on the affected part,'' admitted Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore.

''It's a bit of a worry for us with England around the corner, but we'll hope for the best.''

After 303 Test victims already, including 16 wickets against England the last time he faced them at the Oval in 1998, the news has come as something of a bonus for the tourists, even though they remain sceptical about his absence from the first Test.

''It would be nice if he wasn't fit,'' admitted Gough.

''He is their most dangerous bowler, but there are some very good spin bowlers in this country and most of the lads were impressed by them in the last game."

* England A all-rounder Graeme Swann has regained his appetite for cricket after taking nine wickets in the match against Windward Islands that gave his side an emphatic victory by an innings and 17 runs.

The 21-year-old Northamptonshire player followed up a disappointing senior tour of South Africa last winter with an average summer at Wantage Road, which initially left him out of selectors' considerations for the tours this winter.

But he was called up for England A and after a three-month break from cricket, Swann has quickly got into his stride.

''I think the three-month break has done me a lot of good," he said.

''I got a bit of hunger back for the game that I had lost over the previous 18 months so I have come out here and enjoyed every minute of the cricket I have played.

''In South Africa, it was a case of never really having the chance to play, which was just how the tour panned out, but I would like to have played more. This was my chance and I have been pretty pleased with the way I have played.