SLC to contest ICC charge over inconsistent application of rules

Wed, Jun 20, '18

An interesting legal battle is on the cards between the lawyers of Sri Lanka Cricket and International Cricket Council after the former decided to contest the ICC sanctions issued on Thursday. Following the drawn second Test match between Sri Lanka and West Indies in St. Lucia, ICC Match Referee Javagal Srinath found Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal guilty of tampering with the ball. Minutes later, the ICC announced that CEO David Richardson had charged Chandimal, Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha and Team Manager Asanka Gurusinha of a more serious Level three offence which relates to conduct that is contrary to the Spirit of the game.

The Sri Lankans were charged for holding up play for two hours on the morning of day three after the umpires accused the Sri Lankan captain of ball tampering.

SLC officials were in discussion with the Sri Lankan side that is currently in Barbados and late Wednesday night made a decision to contest the charge. SLC sources said that the board will inform the decision to the ICC Thursday morning.

That means the ICC will have to appoint a Judicial Commissioner to hear the case and the trio of Chandimal, Hathurusingha and Gurusinha will not be suspended from the third and final day-night Test in Barbados.