Nevill dismisses Colombo stumping critics

Peter Nevill couldn't have been more blunt when asked why some had labelled his delayed stumping of Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne as against the spirit of cricket.

"If you don't want to get stumped stay in your crease," said the Australian wicketkeeper after stumps on day four of the third Test.

With Australia in urgent need of a second-innings wicket as they attempt to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash, Nevill sniffed out the smallest of chances.

Nathan Lyon produced a nicely pitched off-spinner that squared Karunaratne up and beat the outside edge of the bat.

With the ball in his gloves, Nevill paused - for almost two seconds - and when Karunaratne raised his back foot ever so slightly, Nevill whipped off the bails.

Following a review, Karunaratne was given out stumped for 22.

Criticised by some on social media, Nevill defended the dismissal while Sri Lankan centurion Kaushal Silva accepted the stumping was fair and his side would do the same.

"I thought he was going to move his foot out of his crease and he did," Nevill said.

"(It) just worked out well that the timing was just right that it was out.

"I don't think it's contrary to the spirit of cricket."

Nevill added that Brad Haddin was always lurking for a similiar stumping.

"I know 'Hadds' tried to do it a million times as well, so I think that's rubbed off on me."

Following his brilliant 115, Silva conceded Nevill's actions were legitimate.

"We don't know if we will get a chance to effect that kind of dismissal, but if we do, we would have to take that opportunity," he said.

"I don't see it as a wrong thing."

Mitchell Johnson applauded Nevill for his "nice work... game awareness" on Twitter.

Adam Gilchrist laid blame at the feet of Karunaratne.

"I think it's OK. Just a little bit lazy from batsman, and (Nevill) quite within rights to appeal," the former Australian gloveman tweeted.