Sri Lanka were prepared to forfeit the second Test match against West Indies in St.
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A Sri Lanka Cricket source told that after match officials informed the team on the third day's play that the condition of the ball had been altered by using a foreign substance the previous day, the team was adamant in forfeiting the game. However, telephone calls from SLC officials - including CEO Ashley de Silva - ensured the players were back on the field to resume play on day three after a delay of more than two hours.
- With the Sri Lankan board dismissed by a court ruling, the day-to-day affairs of the board has been managed by country's Sports Ministry and Sports Minister Faizer Musthapha too was drawn to the fray. Musthapha, a lawyer by profession, had assured players SLC's fullest support but had requested not to forfeit the Test, to maintain the spirit of the game.
- "The players and the team management were adamant that the game should be forfeited as the match officials were accusing them without showing any concrete evidence. But they were informed by SLC to not to forfeit the game," an SLC source.
- The Sri Lankan apparently were unhappy that the charge was brought just before play got underway on Saturday (June 16). After a 90 minute delay, the players agreed to take the field but there had been some miscomm-unication on the five runs being added to West Indies total and that led to captain Dinesh Chandimal withdrawing the team again. Discussions between players, match officials and SLC continued for another 30 minutes before play eventually resumed on day three.
- Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal was charged by the ICC for ball tampering. Umpires Ian Gould, one of the on-field umpires had checked Dhananjaya de Silva's hand during second day's play and although initially he was believed to have been caught trying to change the condition of the ball, fingers are now being pointed at Chandimal.
- Sri Lanka were confident that they will be cleared at the hearing that is scheduled for Sunday after fourth day's play. SLC and officials from the Sports Ministry were having discussions late on Sunday night to determine to the way forward from the situation.
- Whether they wanted to forfeit the game or not, the umpires had the authority to declare West Indies were winners by forfeiture as it happened in 2006 at The Oval during a Test match between Pakistan and England. On day four of the Test, umpire Darrel Hair ruled that Pakistani had been involved in ball tampering. Pakistan's players refused to take the field after tea in protest of the decision. After waiting for a couple of minutes, the umpires declared that England had won.
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