WI vs SL 2018, 2nd Test: Controversy Surrounding Tampering Leads to Long Delay

It was a bizarre situation when the Sri Lankans refused to take the field on the 3^rd day of the 2^nd Test against the Windies after the on-field umpires Aleem Dar, and Ian Gould charged them of changing the condition of the ball.

It was nearing the end of the 2^nd day’s play when Aleem Dar and Gould had charged them of altering the condition of the ball. Hence, the Sri Lankans were advised ahead of the 3^rd day’s play that they could not continue with the existing ball and it should get changed.

Sri Lanka skipper, Dinesh Chandimal refused to walk out on the field with his team with Windies batting on 118/2 in reply to Sri Lanka’s score of 253 in the 1^st innings.

“The ICC can confirm the match officials in the second Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka changed the ball and awarded five penalty runs to West Indies. If there are any, Code of Conduct charges will follow as per usual at the close of play,” the International Cricket Council tweeted.

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Animated chat between match referee and team managers 

Animated discussions were going on between match referee Javagal Srinath and the duo Sri Lanka coach, Chandika Hathurusimgha and team manager Asanka Gurusinha.

For some, it appeared that the match was in jeopardy and the play for the day would be called off. However, it was learnt that the Sri Lankans eventually agreed to change the match ball. But if any charges are led of tampering, they will challenge it.

Five penalty runs added to the Windies total. Meanwhile, Windies coach Stuart Law and team manager Rawl Lewis was quite perplexed with the situation. They asked for clarification from the match referee.

As per reports in the live commentary of Cricbuzz, it was learnt that Gould had asked to check Dhananjaya de Silva’s hands after the end of the 2^nd day’s play. He was the player shining the ball and had bandages on his hand. However, this is a quite common practice in world cricket.

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