So it is a shame that Cook would label Angelo Mathews' decision to sustain the appeal against Buttler "a pretty poor act" in the immediate aftermath of the game. While Cook, to his credit, also admitted that England's batting had been poor throughout the series and that their total at Edgbaston was 20 below par, he must have known that, once he criticised his counterpart, such confessions would be lost amid the fallout. Perhaps a stronger leader would have declined the opportunity to make excuses and admitted his side's failings.
England would be deluding themselves, too, if they hid behind the bowling action of a Sri Lankan spinner. Whether it is suspect or not - independent testing will reveal the answers over the next few weeks - England will face many similar actions around the world. The sooner they accept that the world has moved on, that mystery spin is only a mystery to them, the better.
In years to come, perhaps when Moeen Ali has normalised the doosra in England, mystery spin will be viewed in the same way as reverse swing: a key skill in obtaining movement on flat pitches. And just as England's mistrust of reverse swing eventually turned into acceptance and even affection, the same will happen with mystery spin.
It would be nice, too, if England simply stopped talking about the spirit of cricket. It is not relevant when their batsmen decline to walk. It is not relevant when their batsmen, in fighting for a draw, change their gloves and ask for drinks in order to use up time. It is not relevant when their bowlers sledge or try to persuade the umpire to change a ball that is not swinging. And it is not relevant when they lure coaches from opposition teams weeks before they face them in a series.
All such issues are seen - right or wrong - as part and parcel of the professional game. So to talk of spirit only when they lose leaves them looking weak, graceless and hypocritical. Only by confronting their failings and not grasping for excuses will they start to improve
