Sri Lankan cricketers take a stand against ball tampering allegations

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - The start of play on day 3 of the 2^nd Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka in St. Lucia was delayed, after the umpires decided to change the ball ahead of the start of play due to ball tampering concerns, which resulted in the Sri Lankan players refusing to take the field. Visuals of umpire Ian Gould asking Dhananjaya de Silva’s to show his hands hands were seen from last evening after he was found shining the ball with bandages wrapped around his hands. A few minutes later the umpires checked the shape of the ball with the use of the rings to check the shape of the ball and was seen speaking to the Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal. It is understood that the umpires took this scenario into consideration and decided to change the ball which didn’t go down well with the Sri Lankan players and the management. Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusingha was also seen speaking to the match referee Javagal Srinath as play was continued to be held up creating dramatic scenes to what was turning out to be an evenly fought Test match. After much deliberation, it was decided that play is to resume at 10.50 am West Indian time, with West Indies awarded 5 penalty runs but shortly after the Sri Lankan team took to the field, walked back towards the boundary line refusing to play.