There are few stronger things that a cricketer can say about a fellow player than to call them a "cheat" let alone using language like wanting "to kill the batsman".

England coach Andy Flower is an exceptionally calm individual who is always measured about what he says in public and although his comments about the need to respect the "opposition" were not made in direct response to Swann's "cheat" allegation, I think it's fair to assume that is probably what he was getting at.

He also made the comment that England players have to be very careful preaching about "walking" because it's not necessarily the case that they are all the first to leave the crease before an umpire's finger goes up.

But there has been some coverage of the row in the local media.

The Island newspaper have run an interview with Perera under the banner "poms are whinging". Perera is quoted as saying "I wasn't sure of the catch and the umpires weren't sure of the catch as well. So I stood my ground. I can't understand why they are making an issue out of it".

He also brought up other incidents in the game where he said the Board XI were on the wrong end of decisions and says "these things happen in cricket and I think England are barking up the wrong tree".

But although there is unlikely to be any long-lasting effects from this rumpus it is true sometimes early tour incidents can set a tone.

On the 2001 tour here Darren Gough was reported for using abusive language in the opening fixture, then a race row erupted at a game in Matara when another player named Perera ,this time Ruchira, was accused of using a slur towards Craig White before Gough again was seen wagging his finger at an umpire during a practice match in Kurunegala.

There followed a highly acrimonious Test series with controversial umpiring and an onfield row between Michael Atherton and Kumar Sangakarra with both players reprimanded by the match referee. The captains had to have a meeting before the final Test to try and calm down the situation.

It would be highly unfortunate if the incident at the Premadasa stadium on Saturday was any kind of precursor to any trouble ahead - but the intensity England showed in that match demonstrates how desperately they want to succeed out here and perhaps how difficult it can be to keep your cool when the thermostat reaches 34C plus.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew looks at five that could make the shortlist.

1. Headingley 1981, England v Australia

For sheer outrageousness it is the Headingley Test, which makes Test cricket the unique sport it is and the superior variety of cricket, when games turn on their heads.

It was all over, everyone knew it, the bookies knew it, England were still 92 behind with only three wickets left but then came an awesome innings by Ian Botham (149 not out from 148 balls with 27 fours and a six), aided by a fine fifty from Graham Dilley which often gets overlooked and astonishing spell of 8-43 by Bob Willis which is certainly often forgotten.

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It was a remarkable turnaround and the most amazing Test match from that perspective.

I remember watching it on TV, I had been playing cricket myself I think, but it gripped the country and did a huge amount for cricket all over the world.

England celebrated winning the Ashes in 2005 with a victory parade in London. Photo: PA

2. Edgbaston 2005, England v Australia

In terms of a nailbiting finish it is Birmingham in that amazing 2005 series. We thought Australia were going to do it on that Sunday morning, led by Shane Warne's impish, annoying innings.

There was Simon Jones trying to come in from third man to take a catch, not quite getting there, and the Australian team's last pair putting on 59 and almost inching their way to victory, just three runs short of their target.

My main memory of that match is the crowd noise, the huge belly roar that shook Edgbaston and came through the commentary box window.

You don't often get that at a cricket match but the sheer force of the ground when Billy Bowden put his finger up for that final wicket was unforgettable.

Poor old Mike Kasprowicz probably would have got away with it nowadays if he had a review left, because his hand was not on his bat when he gloved through to the keeper but thank goodness for the series.

England had been spanked in the first match but it set up probably the greatest series of all time.

3. Lord's 1963, England v West Indies

For sheer romance it was Colin Cowdrey walking back out to bat, having earlier had his arm broken by Wes Hall.

It was all rather misty-eyed, as things were rather more then. Someone had to be there at the other end and Colin helped David Allen play out the last two balls of the match.

There was huge amount of admiration and respect for Colin, who talked about Christianity and was more than just a cricketer to the nation.

It added to the whole event and he was rightly hailed as a hero.

4. Old Trafford 1956, England v Australia

I remember when I joined a thing called the Cricketer Club as a child and one of the items in my presentation pack was a reprint of the newspaper report of the match, "Laker's Test", which I read and read over and over again.

That was another Test which had so many strands to it, the Australians being furious with what they thought was a rogue pitch, specially prepared for the England spinners, Jim Laker and Tony Lock.

I loved Laker's reaction every time he took a wicket, it was just a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders and a smile, maybe the occasional shaking of hands, he was such a lovely man.

There was that lovely story of him driving home and he stopped off, in Derbyshire I think it was, or perhaps somewhere in the Midlands, for a pie and a pint in a pub.

Those were the days when sportsmen simply weren't seen or known. The locals were all in there watching the highlights in black and white, there was the man himself in there with them and they had no idea.

It was a remarkable achievement and I wonder if we will ever see anyone take 19 wickets in a Test match again.

5. Brisbane 1960, Australia v West Indies

The tied Test. I remember the great photographs of the jubilant West Indians after the last man was run out.

Australia had seemed certain to lose at 92-6 needing 233 but came so close to victory. Alan McGilvray the radio commentator, had given the game up and gone back to Sydney, I think he had to re-do his commentary from there!

Test cricket throws up these wonderful dramatic moments. There have been other great matches, and of course people will have their own favourites, but you need drama, unpredictability and brilliant individual performances.

The TMS panel will comprise a shortlist of the greatest Tests in a special programme on BBC Radio 5 live on Wednesday 20 July between 1930 and 2100 BST with their final choice being made during the lunch interval of the first day of the first Test on Thursday.

But despite losing 26 hours hours of play to bad weather, there were some superb individual performances - although one or two England players need to raise their game for the series against number one ranked India, which starts next month.

Here, former England spinner and Test Match Special summariser Phil Tufnell rates the players' performances, but do you agree with his marks out of 10?

He will be disappointed with his lack of runs. He led the troops well, and got another Test series win under his belt but he does need to work on his batting against those left-arm seamers.

Alastair Cook (runs: 390, average: 97.50) - 8.5

What can you say about a guy who has scored at least 50 in his last six Test innings? It doesn't get much better than that. He carried on from his fantastic form from the winter and averaged almost 100.

Jonathan Trott (runs: 267, average: 66.75) - 8

Another good series for England's Mr Dependable, including that superb double-century in Cardiff.

Kevin Pietersen (runs: 162, average: 40.50) - 7

He was looking to get back to his fluent best and after a scratchy start he looked a class act at the Rose Bowl. That knock will have done him the world of good.

Ian Bell (runs: 331, average: 331.00) - 9.75

I'm loathe to give a 10, but it's tricky when a guy averages 331. He looked completely at home with himself, has always been easy on the eye, has poise, grace, lovely touch and a range of shots. He is now coming out and doing it when it matters and got a couple of great hundreds.

Eoin Morgan (runs: 168, average: 56.00) - 7.5

He has come in and looked very at home in Test match cricket. A lot of people said he was just a one-day player but I think he has looked completely at home. He looks to come in at six and give the innings momentum and he manipulates the field when the spinners are on.

Matt Prior (runs: 130, average: 43.33) - 7

He got a very good hundred at Lord's and had a good series behind the stumps. I would have given him 7.5 if he hadn't broken that window.

Stuart Broad (wickets: 8, bowling average: 48.75) - 5

It was a disappointing series for Broady but I think he deserves to keep his place. He is very much part of this England side and gets some useful runs down the order. He just needs to get that confidence back with the ball and that comes from getting wickets.

Graeme Swann (wickets:12, bowling average: 23.58) - 7.5

The conditions have been awkward for the spin bowler with all the rain. It has been off and on the whole way through. He hasn't had four or five nice dry days where he can really wrap his fingers round it and get some purchase. It has been difficult but he is one of England's main men.

Chris Tremlett (wickets: 15, bowling average 23.4) - 9

He has really come in and cemented his place in the side and he looks like taking a wicket with every ball he bowls. A real big plus for England, carrying on his good form from Australia.

James Anderson (wickets: 7, bowling average: 29) - 7.5

Showed why he is leader of the attack with some important wickets at crucial times. Missed out at Lord's with an injury.

Steven Finn (wickets: 4, bowling average: 34.75) - 6.5

He came in at Lord's and did a job and it shows the great depth of bowling talent that we have at the moment when you have a guy like Finn available when someone gets injured.

Phil Tufnell was talking to BBC Sport's Sam Sheringham