England should calm down, Senanayake's done nothing wrong in run-out row

The conversation in cricket this week has been dominated by one topic: the Mankad. Sachithra Senanayake’s decision to run out Jos Buttler, who had backed up too far at the non-striker’s end in the game between England and Sri Lanka this week, has divided opinion in the game.

I have first-hand experience of the situation. In 2012, I was captaining Surrey at Somerset when our left-arm spinner, Murali Kartik, ran out Alex Barrow in the same way. Like Senanayake, Kartik warned Barrow about backing up too far before he ran him out. When he then did so, I upheld the appeal.

I would like to make clear that when I apologised after the game, it was because people thought I had gone against the spirit of cricket. That has never been my intention at any time in my career and it never will be.

What I did not apologise for was backing my team-mate. What Kartik did was completely legitimate, just as Senanayake’s actions were. Since then, I’ve thought a lot about the spirit of cricket and what people actually mean when they discuss it.

Would I do the same again? I’m not sure. Given the hassle that followed, it might be something I’d steer clear of. But take that hassle away and I have no doubts I did nothing wrong under the letter of the law.

I am one of the few batsmen in the game who walks if I know I have edged it. I don’t judge those who don’t but not walking when you know you’ve nicked it is a far greater crime than what Kartik and Senanayake did.