Dinesh Chandimal, Hathurusinghe banned for four ODIs and two Tests

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and Manager Asanka Gurursinha have been banned for four ODIs and two Tests, as a result of breaching the ICC code of conduct.

Following a ball-tampering allegation, the trio had been charged with the level 3 offence over refusal to take the field on day three in the second Test in St Lucia last month, a step that resulted in a delay of roughly two hours. They were already sitting out for two tests and now after receiving the maximum possible punishment for their spirit of cricket offence, they would feel that they should have given a second thought before taking the obstructive step.

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“The Chairman of the ICC Code of Conduct Commission had held a hearing over video conference on Wednesday, 11 July, to determine the sanction, and, after more than six hours of hearing, which was attended by legal counsels of both the sides, had reserved his decision. During the hearing, however, it was mutually agreed that, since the minimum sanction for a Level 3 offence was suspension from two Tests, the three will not participate in the Galle Test (played from 12-14 July) and Colombo Test (to be played from 20-24 July), and these will be credited against the sanction imposed by the Judicial Commissioner. Furthermore, six demerit points each have been added to the disciplinary records of Chandimal, Hathurusinghe and Gurusinha.” ICC stated in a press release.

Six demerit points have been added to the records of all three men, bringing Chandimal’s tally to 10, having received four over the original ball-tampering offence. If Chandimal collects two further demerit points within a 24-month period, he will be suspended for a further three tests or six ODIs.

Sri Lanka face South Africa in the second test in Colombo starting on Friday.