Even as Sri Lanka pleaded their innocence in the ball-tampering controversy in the ongoing Test match in Gros Islet, the ICC has charged Dinesh Chandimal, the Sri Lanka captain, for breaching Level 2.2.9 of the Code of Conduct.

The third day of the second West Indies v Sri Lanka was marred by a long-drawn episode, which included umpires changing the match ball and awarding five penalty runs to the home side.

It started at the beginning of the third day, when on-field umpires Ian Gould and Aleem Dar, following concerns about the condition of the ball in the last session on the second day, decided to change it. This did not go down well with Chandimal, who declined to lead his troops out to the field.

Animated discussions between Chandimal, Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusingha, and manager Asanka Gurusinha ensued even as the umpires and the West Indies players waited in the middle.

When the Sri Lankan players did finally come out an hour and 20 minutes after the scheduled start of play, Devon Smith and Shai Hope, according to Law 41.3 of the ICC, were allowed to choose the new ball. The hosts were also awarded five penalty runs.

This upset the Sri Lankans further, and they made their way off the field. It took another 40 minutes to finally get the game started.

Coming so soon after the incident in the Cape Town Test between South Africa and Australia earlier this year, there was debate on the matter.

“I absolutely think umpires should be very strict on ball tampering,” said Sangakkara. “You saw what happened with Australia, they should have had harder sanctions years ago, it might not have led to sandpaper. But at the same time everyone needs to have perspective.

“Give a fair hearing, see what everyone has to see and then make a very objective position to what’s happened and if it merits the sanctions they’ve already imposed or if any further action needs to be taken.”

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Sri LankaWest Indies Dinesh ChandimalInternational Cricket