Kumar Dharmasena will help control the fourth Ashes Test from the middle, rather than the third-umpire room, in a late change to arrangements for the high-stakes match.

Marais Erasmus and Ruchira Palliyaguruge, who isn’t on the International Cricket Council’s elite panel, had been originally slated to umpire the Old Trafford contest that begins on Wednesday.

But Palliyaguruge is listed to remain as third umpire for the rest of the five-Test series, which is locked at 1-1.

It means Erasmus and Dharmasena, two of the most-experienced umpires on the circuit, will be standing in the middle for the rest of the series.

The standard of umpiring has been a constant talking point in this Ashes.

Ricky Pointing has led calls for the ICC to let Australian and English umpires, who represent more than half of the elite panel, officiate in the showpiece series.

But the powerful Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) insists neutral Test umpiring is still the best way forward.

Joel Wilson had eight on-field decisions overturned on review during the series opener then shocked Australia by turning down Nathan Lyon’s lbw shout during a dramatic finish to the third Test.

Lyon would have clinched a one-run win for Australia if the tourists were able to review Wilson’s on-field verdict, with ball-tracking replays suggesting it was out.

“Can’t fathom why or how that wasn’t given out,” captain Tim Paine said.

“England had two referrals so, if it was given out, the correct decision would have been made upstairs.

“Saw it live – that’s all I needed to see. I don’t want to watch that again.”

-AAP