Sri Lanka‘s captain, coach and team manager have admitted breaching the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct after the team refused to take to the field against West Indies last weekend.
The third day of the second Test in St Lucia last Saturday was held up by two hours after the tourists failed to come out, in protest at the umpires’ decision to impose a five-run penalty and replace the match ball.
That decision was reached after the officials ruled that the condition of the original ball had been altered by Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal.
An ICC statement released on Friday morning read: “Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha have admitted to breaching Article 2.3.1, a Level 3 offence, which relates to ‘conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game’.
“Following their admission, the ICC, in accordance with Article 5.2 of the ICC code of conduct, has appointed the Hon Michael Beloff QC as the judicial commissioner to hear the case to determine the appropriate sanction.
“Mr Beloff has also been appointed as the judicial commissioner to hear Mr Chandimal’s appeal against the match referee’s decision for changing the condition of the ball.
“The three were charged by the ICC chief executive David Richardson on Tuesday for their involvement in the Sri Lanka cricket team’s refusal to take to the field in St Lucia at the start of Saturday’s play, which caused a two-hour delay in the start of play.
“This action was alleged to amount to a serious breach of the Laws of Cricket and to be contrary to the spirit of the game. All Level 3 breaches carry an imposition of between four and eight suspension points.”
Sri Lanka eventually took to the field at 1050 local time – 50 minutes after the scheduled start – but there was then a further delay of 40 minutes as Chandimal began arguing with the umpires before a delivery was bowled.
The tourists gathered on the boundary, but after further negotiations with match referee Javagal Srinath and their coaching staff, Lahiru Kumara finally resumed his 14th over at 1130 with a replacement ball selected by the West Indies batsmen.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) released a statement on Saturday saying its players “have not engaged in any wrongdoing” and that the team had taken to the field “under protest”.
