Police probe launched into Sri Lanka-West Indies Test

The Sri Lankan government has said it has launched a probe into a bid to bribe members of the national cricket team to under-perform in a recent Test match against the West Indies. The country’s sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera revealed on Saturday that a man linked to a bookmaker had offered wicketkeeper Kusal Perera and bowler Rangana Herath tens of thousands of dollars to trigger a batting collapse at a Test in Galle in October, reports CMC.

It is reported that a bookmaker offered spinner Rangana Herath (pictured) and wicketkeeper Kusal Perera USD 70,000 to throw away the Test match against West Indies in Galle, in October.

The Sri Lankan government has said it has launched a probe into a bid to bribe members of the national cricket team to under-perform in a recent Test match against the West Indies.

The country’s sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera revealed on Saturday that a man linked to a bookmaker had offered wicketkeeper Kusal Perera and bowler Rangana Herath tens of thousands of dollars to trigger a batting collapse at a Test in Galle in October, reports CMC.

The sports minister disclosed that Rs.10 million ($70,000) had been offered to the players to lose the match and that police had mounted a search for the suspect who approached the two players.

“They wanted Sri Lanka to get out early for a very low score. This is a match Sri Lanka was expected to win, but if they lost, the bookie would have made a lot of money,” Jayasekera told reporters.

“After Kusal turned down the offer, the man approached Herath who also rejected the offer and alerted the authorities. We have started a police inquiry in addition to an anti-corruption probe by Sri Lanka Cricket.”

The West Indies lost by an innings and six runs after veteran left-arm spinner Herath took 10 wickets in the match.

The West Indies, who have never won a Test match in Sri Lanka, lost the series two-nil.