Angry Sri Lanka deny ball altering

Jason Roy’s century trumped Shaun Marsh’s as England beat Australia by 38 runs yesterday in the second one-day international to lead the five-match series 2-0.

Opening batsman Roy was unruffled by two rain breaks in scoring 120 off 108 balls, and stand-in captain Jos Buttler hit an unbeaten 91 to lift England’s total to 342-8, their highest ODI score against Australia.

Marsh kept the visitors in the hunt with a gritty 131 – his first ODI century since 2013 – until he was eighth man out in the 46th over.

Liam Plunkett (4-53), who bowled Marsh, and Adil Rashid (3-70) saw off Australia for 304 with 17 balls to spare.

‘‘Two [Plunkett and Rashid] great wicket-takers for us over Sri Lanka have strongly denied altering the ball in the second cricket test against the West Indies in St Lucia, on a day which started almost 90 minutes late due to their protests.

Going into yesterday’s third day, Sri Lanka were instructed to play with a different ball and the West Indies were awarded a five-run penalty, as umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould ruled

the past few years,’’ Buttler said. ‘‘Adil handled the pressure at the end very well, with batsmen coming after him.’’

Australia’s top order faltered again after losing the first ODI by three wickets at The Oval. Sri Lanka had altered the condition of the ball during the West Indies’ first innings.

Sri Lanka, who had won the first test of the three-match series, had made 253 in the first innings, with the Windies surpassing that during the second session, on a dramatic day when the ball was changed at 44.3 overs old, which prompted the Sri Lankans to stay in their

Debutant D’Arcy Short fell for 21 and his opening partner Travis Head for 19, brilliantly snapped up by Alex Hales.

Marcus Stoinis (9) and Aaron Finch (0) made no impression and just when Glenn Maxwell (31) dressing room.

Match referee Javagal Srinath upheld Gould and Dar’s decision, with West Indies’ overnight total rising from 118-2 to 123-2.

According to ESPNCricinfo, the umpires laid the charge after reviewing footage of the second day’s play, and finding evidence pointing to the application of a substance to the ball.

looked to turn things on for Australia he holed out at mid-on. Australia slipped to 164-5 in the 31st over.

Ashton Agar (46) and Marsh provided Australia hope with a 96-run, sixth-wicket stand before