Sri Lanka agree to replace West Indies

Sri Lanka have confirmed as the replacement opposition for this month’s series in India.

A payment structure dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and West Indies Players Association saw the ongoing tour of India abruptly cut short.

Friday’s fourth ODI at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharmasala will be the last of a series that was scheduled to feature six limited-overs fixtures and three Tests.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed the curtailment, after the West Indies team management had revealed the decision earlier in the day. The BCCI promptly sought a substitution, with Sri Lanka Cricket quick to oblige.

“Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed a five-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka, to be played from 1 November 2014. The BCCI wishes to thank SLC for its swift response and for extending its support to ensure that the international cricket season is not shortened,” read a joint statement from the BCCI and SLC.

The main cause of the impasse between the WICB and WIPA is the memorandum of understanding and the combined bargaining agreement signed in September. Player representative and captain Dwayne Bravo had claimed WIPA president and CEO Wavell Hinds had signed the financial document without the contracted squad’s consent.

“The BCCI is shocked and extremely disappointed at the decision taken by the WICB. The WICB’s inability to resolve internal issues with its players and allowing the same to affect an ongoing bilateral series does not reflect well on any of those involved. The withdrawal gives little thought to the future of the game, the players and the long standing relations between the BCCI and WICB,” read a statement from the BCCI.

The Indians won the truncated ODI series two-one, with one washout.