Dubai, Jul 16 (UNI) The independent Judicial Commissioner Michael Beloff QC on Monday
handed Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and manager
Asanka Gurusinha eight suspension points, which means the trio have also been suspended
for the first four ODIs along with both the Tests against South Africa.
The three were charged by the ICC Chief Executive David Richardson on 19 June and had pleaded guilty to breaching Level 3, Article 2.3.1, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to
the spirit of the game”, during last month’s St Lucia Test against the West Indies, an ICC
media statement said.
The Chairman of the ICC Code of Conduct Commission had held a hearing over video
conference on July 11, 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 July 12-14) and Colombo Test (to be played from July 20-24), and these
will be credited against the sanction imposed by the Judicial Commissioner.
As eight suspension points equate to a ban from two Tests and four ODIs/T20Is or eight ODIs/T20Is, whatever comes first for the player or player support personnel, the Judicial Commissioner’s ruling means the three will also remain suspended for the Dambulla ODIs
(July 29 and August 1) as well as the Kandy ODIs (August 5 and 8).
Furthermore, six demerit points each have been added to the disciplinary records of
Chandimal, Hathurusinghe and Gurusinha.
While these are first offences for Hathurusinghe and Gurusinha, this is the second time
Chandimal has been sanctioned since the introduction of the revised Code in September
2016. Chandimal received four demerit points for breaching Article 2.2.9 in the same Test,
and, therefore, he now has 10 demerit points against his name.
All Level 3 breaches carry an imposition of between four and eight suspension points.
Any suspension imposed for crossing the demerit point threshold will run concurrently
with the suspension points and therefore the trio will not face any additional suspensions.
The suspension for Chandimal means he can neither be nominated as a substitute
fielder nor can he enter any part of the playing area although he will be permitted to
enter the player’s dressing room (providing it does not form part of the playing area)
The suspension for Hathurusinghe and Gurusinha means they will be barred from
entering the players’ dressing room and attending post-match ceremonies and
presentations
If Chandimal reaches 12 or more demerit points within a 24-month period, he will be
suspended from either three Tests or 6 ODIs/T20Is or a combination thereof, whatever
comes first for him
The three had been charged by the ICC Chief Executive David Richardson on June 19
for their involvement in the Sri Lanka team’s refusal to take the field at the start of the
third day’s play. This action was alleged to be a serious breach of the Laws of Cricket and
contrary to the spirit of the game.
UNI XC-BM