Sri Lanka’s cricket board banned three of their top players for one year. This strict decision has come after the players were found breaking the Covid-19 rules and leaving the bio-bubble. The lengthy bans and $50,000 fines were ordered after vice-captain Kusal Mendis, opener Danushka Gunathilaka, and wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella in viral social media videos night out in Durham the day before a one-day international against England.
The board had ordered a two-year ban against all three, but one year was suspended. They will be on probation for two years once their ban is served. A five-member independent disciplinary panel on Thursday found the three guilty of violating health regulations and leaving their hotel in Durham.
“It’s a very eminent committee that has made these recommendations – a committee that has a former Supreme Court judge – so we will have to take it very seriously,” SLC secretary Mohan de Silva told ESPNcricinfo. “But we will be taking the matter up for discussion at the executive committee meeting on Friday,” he added.
Sri Lanka Cricket have banned Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella from international cricket for one year.
The trio had breached Covid-19 protocol in England last month. pic.twitter.com/3V0x71kvW6
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 30, 2021
3 banned Sri Lankan cricketers will miss T20 World Cup
The trio will miss the T20 World Cup for Sri Lanka but will be able to join the squad for the T20 World Cup in 2022 which will take place in Australia. These three have also been banned for six months from the domestic circuit.
It has been reported that these three players have been handed harsher punishment because of their involvement in previous disciplinary incidents.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka defeated India in the third T20I and sealed the series 2-1. Wanindu Hasaranga was the star as he picked up 4 wickets and conceded only 9 runs in his quota of 4 overs. He was awarded the player of the match for his brilliant show.
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