ZCZC
BSP-17
CRICKET-SRI-WIS-ICC
Sri Lanka’s Lakmal replaces banned Chandimal as skipper
COLOMBO, June 23, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Sri Lanka on Saturday named Suranga
Lakmal as skipper for the potentially series-saving third Test against the
West Indies after Dinesh Chandimal lost his appeal against a one-match ban
for ball tampering.
“Lakmal was appointed as the captain, in the absence of Dinesh Chandimal,”
Sri Lanka Cricket said in a brief statement, without commenting on
Chandimal’s case.
The West Indies are 1-0 up in the series with the final match, the first
ever day-night Test in the Caribbean, due to begin later on Saturday in
Barbados.
Chandimal, 28, was given the ban after being spotted by television cameras
during the second Test applying saliva to the ball, apparently with a sweet
in his mouth.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday dismissed Chandimal’s
appeal. A fine of 100 per cent of his match fee and two suspension points
were also upheld.
Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha also
face possible disciplinary action after refusing to take to the field for two
hours after the incident.
The three admitted on Friday “conduct… contrary to the spirit of the
game” and will face a preliminary ICC hearing on July 10.
Hathurusinghe and Gurusinha were on Friday however allowed to continue to
perform their duties in the meantime, including in the third Test.
Chandimal’s ban is the latest blow to Sri Lankan cricket following a string
of defeats — including a Test and one-day whitewash to India — and
corruption allegations.
Earlier this year, Australian cricket was rocked to its foundations after a
player was caught applying sandpaper to the ball in a match in South Africa.
Steve Smith and David Warner were stripped of the captaincy and vice-
captaincy respectively and banned from playing international cricket for 12
months.
BSS/AFP/MR/1350 hrs