Sri Lanka continued their second Test against West Indies but they are playing ‘under protest’ after being accused by match officials of altering the condition of the ball.

The tourists initially refused to take the field on the third day in St Lucia on Saturday after umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould changed the ball and awarded West Indies five penalty runs. The match was delayed almost two hours.

“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,” the ICC said in a statement on their Twitter feed. “If there are any, Code of Conduct charges will follow as per usual at close of play.”

But the Sri Lankan cricket board denied there was any wrongdoing.

“SLC advised the team to take the field to ensure the continuity of the match and wish to commend the decision taken by the team to continue with the game ‘under protest’ to ensure the upholding of the spirit of the game,” the organisation said in a statement.

“The team management has informed us that Sri Lankan players have not engaged in any wrongdoing.

“SLC shall take all necessary steps to defend any player, in the event any unwarranted allegation is brought against a member of the team.”

Sri Lanka are 34-1 in their second innings at the end of the third day, trailing West Indies by 13 runs after the hosts were all out for 300.