Sri Lankan skipper, coach and manager admits breaching ICC code of conduct; face two test ban

Dubai, June 22: The Sri Lankan trio including Captain Dinesh Chandimal, Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha on Friday admitted to breaching Article 2.3.1 of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) code of conduct and face a ban of up to two Test matches.

 

The Sri Lankan trio were charged with the breaching of Article 2.3.1 of ICC code of conduct after they refused to take the field on the third day of the second Test against West Indies in St Lucia. However, the game began after a two-hour delay due to the actions of Sri Lankan leadership group.

The Sri Lankan management delayed the game after being informed before play began that the ball was being changed after it was found that its condition was altered using illegal methods. Following their admission, the ICC, in accordance with Article 5.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, has appointed Michael Beloff QC as the Judicial Commissioner to hear the case to determine the appropriate sanction.

Beloff has been appointed as the Judicial Commissioner to hear Chandimal’s appeal against the match referee’s decision for changing the condition of the ball and, as per Article 5.2.3, will use Friday’s hearing in that appeal to hold a preliminary hearing to establish the procedural schedule on the Level 3 charges.

Notably, Article 2.3.1 is a Level 3 offence, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”, and all such breaches carry an imposition of between four and eight suspension points.

On June 19, ICC suspended Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal from his side’s third and final Test against the Windies after he was found guilty of ball tampering during the second day’s play of the second Test.