Dinesh Chandimal suspended for one Test Match

Dinesh Chandimal punished in the aftermath of allegations relating to ball tampering. Eventually he was charged for changing shape of the ball in second Test match against West Indies. The Sri Lankan captain denied all such allegations and naturally the team management and players were unhappy with the incident.

Video evidence indicate that Dinesh Chandimal took some sweets out of his pocket and put in his mouth. During the procedure he would put saliva on ball which is said to have altered size of the ball. In his defense Chandimal addresses that he remembered putting something in his mouth but was totally unaware what substance it was.

Listening to his explanation that were predominantly nervy and not convincing, match referee Javagal Srinath came to the conclusion that it was an artificial substance meant to alter shape of the ball. Thus he was handed a one match ban on the third and final Test match against West Indies.

To make it worse, the Sri Lankan skipper was charged by ICC for “Conduct contrary to the spirit of the game”. Here he wasn’t alone as coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha were also charged for being involved in team’s refusal to take field on third morning of the Test. This caused a two hour delay to start the game.

As per Article 5.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, Judicial Commissioner will be appointed from its Code of Conduct Commission to determine the matter if any of the three plead not guilty. All Level 3 breaches carry an imposition of between four and eight suspension points. Chandimal punished for two intense reasons won’t give a good feeling to the team going into the next match.

The second match ended in a draw with West Indies avoiding any late hiccups. Shanon Gabriel starred in the Test match taking 13 wickets with great hostile pace bowling. He took 8 wickets in the 2nd Innings which was an astonishing display of ferocious fast bowling.