Twitter Reacts To Sri Lankan Players' Reluctance To Take Field After Ball-Tampering Allegations

Sri Lankan players, on Saturday, sensationally refused to take to the field on day 3 of second Test against the West Indies in St Lucia. The players took the dire step after the umpires demanded a change of ball.

Before the start of the play, on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould instructed that the ball be changed. The umpires were unhappy with the condition of the ball and the way Sri Lanka shined it on Day 2.  The visitors paid the price for altering the condition of the ball as the hosts picked the ball for play. Not only that, the umpires also awarded five penalty runs to West Indies.

The Sri Lankan team reacted to the umpires’ decision by refusing to come onto the field to allow play to restart.  The match eventually resumed after a two-hour delay.

The ICC can confirm the match officials in the second Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka changed the ball and awarded 5 penalty runs to West Indies. If there are any, Code of Conduct charges will follow as per usual at close of play.#WIvSL pic.twitter.com/xeiaAKQ9DU

— ICC (@ICC) June 16, 2018

At close of play on day two, West Indies were 118 for 2 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 253. Day three was due to start at 9.30am local time, half-an-hour early to make up for time lost to rain. However,  none of the Sri Lanka players came out on the third morning even though the umpires walked out.

Visuals later showed coach Chandika Hathurusingha, captain Dinesh Chandimal and team manager Asanka Gurusinha in discussion with match referee Javagal Srinath.

Meanwhile, Twitter was quick to react to the controversy. Here are some of the reactions:

What a shame !!! Bright sunshine here in St. Lucia but no cricket !! #WIvSL Controversy over the ball. Play should have started 30min ago

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 16, 2018

Interestingly the ball wasn’t even changed in the #sandpapergate and we know what followed. Sri Lankan players aren’t taking the field vs WI following the umpires’ decision to change the ball… #BallTampering #TestCricket #WIvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 16, 2018

In case, Bollywood is looking for new faces…. #WIvSL pic.twitter.com/8j1DPI9W7e

— Vaishali♀️ (@vaishali_45) June 16, 2018

https://twitter.com/brainfadesmith/status/1007983707888603136

Loving Chandimal as Test captain. I wasn’t sure he was up to it. Decent sample size now, and for sure he has proved me wrong. #WIvSL

— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) June 14, 2018

Javagal Srinath has totally lost control…an inanimate rod would do a better job…. #wivsl

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) June 16, 2018

Sri Lanka lucky that the game is being officiated by Aleem Dar and Javagal Srinath (two players friendly officials) otherwise this game would have been over by now. #WIvSL

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 16, 2018

Clear footage of ball tampering from Australia = no ball change, no penalty runs

No clear footage of SL doing anything untoward = change of ball, accusations & penalty runs.

Interesting @ICC #WIvSL #TestCricket #BallTampering

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) June 16, 2018

Wow! Dinesh Chandimal standing at the boundary was talking on phone. Match referee Javagal Srinath appears to have told him that he is not allowed to do so. A SL team official takes the phone from Chandimal. Its all happening! #WIvSL

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 16, 2018

Okay so SL side is going off the field again. Either the pollution levels have changed or Arjuna Ranatunga has finally landed.#WIvSL

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) June 16, 2018