Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha will not be a part of the two-match Test series at home against South Africa, which starts today (12th July).
After nearly a six-hour ICC hearing on Wednesday night (11th July), the trio agreed to withdraw from the series until the sanctions are announced.
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Chandimal, Hathurusingha and Gurusinha had pleaded guilty to the level 3 offence – ‘conduct that is contrary to the Spirit of the Game’- laid against them by the ICC (International Cricket Council) after they held up play for two hours on the third day of the second Test against West Indies 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.
The marathon hearing took place via tele-conference with judicial commissioner Michael Beloff (QC) joining from England, match referee Javagal Srinath from India, ICC representatives from Dubai and the Lankan trio participating in Sri Lanka.
The incident occurred when Chandimal had been charged with ball-tampering by the on-field umpires Ian Gould and Aleem Dar during the St. Lucia Test, 10 minutes prior to the start of play. Then, Chandimal and his team refused to take the field causing a lengthy two-hour delay by animated discussions between the Sri Lankan management, the umpires and match referee.
Later, Chandimal was found guilty of changing the condition of the ball and was suspended for the Barbados Test.
All Level 3 breaches carry an imposition of between four and eight suspension points which is a minimum of two Tests and a maximum of four games.
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In Chandimal’s absence, Sri Lanka will be led by fast bowler Suranga Lakmal against the Proteas while batting coach Thilan Samaraweera will fill Hathurusinghe’s void. Manager for International Cricket affairs at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Chandima Mapatuna will act as the Team Manager replacing Gurusingha.
Chandimal is allowed to stay in the team dressing room while the accreditation of Hathurusingha and Gurusingha will be revoked hence they can only attend the matches via a match ticket.
