In what came as a peculiar start to the third day of the second Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia, the Sri Lankan team walked off the ground after they came to know that the ball has been changed than what it was until last evening.
The controversy was given birth when before the start of the play after the Sri Lankan players walked in and out off the field in a bid to protest against the change in the ball. It is believed that the umpire had seen the condition of the ball last evening and were unhappy with it. Citing the same thing in mind, they were within the rules to start the proceeding on the third day with a new ball.
An official present at the ground said one of the main reasons Sri Lanka did not take the field was because “the umpires informed them about the ball change just 10 minutes before the start today without evidence of any footage.”
After several arguments, discussions, phone calls etc, the Sri Lankan team finally came back on the ground. It was at this point in time that the hosts were awarded five penalty runs. The play was scheduled to start at 09:00 am local time, half an hour earlier to cover the time consumed by rain on the second day of play.
Following all the confusion, ICC offered a statement from the medium of their official Twitter handle. “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.”
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
After dismissing Sri Lanka for 253 in 79 overs on Day 1, West Indies could only play 44.3 overs on the second day due to incessant rains. Devon Smith and Shai Hope resumed the innings form their overnight score of 123-2.
