Chandimal was already suspended for the Barbados Test for altering the condition of the ball. © Getty
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha will not take part in the two-Test series at home against South Africa, it was confirmed on Thursday (July 12). The troika agreed not to be part of the series after the ICC hearing of the charges laid against them for acting against the spirit of the game.
Chandimal, Hathurusingha and Gurusinha had pleaded guilty to the level three offence laid against them by the International Cricket Council after they held up play for two hours on the third day of the second Test against Windies in St. Lucia.
“Hearing concludes. Judicial Commissioner to announce the decision in due course. In the interim, Chandimal, Hathurusinghe and Gurusinha, who have pleaded guilty, have agreed not to participate in both Tests versus SA. This will be credited against the sanction imposed by the commissioner,” the ICC said via Twitter.
Chandimal had been pulled up by Ian Gould and Aleem Dar, the on-field umpires, for changing the condition of the ball during the St. Lucia Test. The Sri Lanka captain had put something in his mouth before using the saliva to shine the ball. Chandimal and Co. took the field only after causing a long delay only to storm off the field once again. Match referee Javagal Srinath was spotted discussing with the Sri Lankan team management and it was nearly after a two-hour long delay that play was possible. Sri Lanka had been handed a five-run penalty and the visitors were protesting against the charges made against them.
Chandimal was then found guilty of changing the condition of the ball and was also forced to miss the Barbados Test besides being docked 100% of his match fee. ICC’s Chief Executive David Richardson then charged Chandimal, Hathurusingha and Gurusinha for a breach of Article 2.3.1, a Level 3 offence, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”. All Level 3 breaches carry an imposition of between four and eight suspension points.
“We were aware of the rules. When they sent us the charge sheet, all three of us accepted it. We were too emotional when we were informed that the captain was charged for ball tampering. We made a mistake and regret it,” Gurusinha had said after the fiasco.
In Chandimal’s absence, Sri Lanka have three options for the leadership roles with Suranga Lakmal, who captained in Barbados, set to be the frontrunner to the post. While Angelo Mathews and Rangana Herath have led the side in several Tests, After the first Test in Galle, the two teams will move to Colombo for the second Test from July 20.
Shared News | Last updated on Thu, 12 Jul, 2018, 01:05 AM
