SLC reduces ban to one year

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka Cricket has reduced the bans recommended on three of their players after the Executive Committee met yesterday.

A five member Disciplinary Committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge had recommended a two year suspension on Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka and an 18 month ban for Niroshan Dickwella from  all forms of cricket. However, SLC has reduced the international ban for one year each while allowing them to resume domestic cricket after six months.

The board, however, has doubled the fine recommended by the Disciplinary Committee increasing it to Rs. ten million each.

SLC had soft-peddled on previous instances when players have been suspended reducing their bans with Danushka Gunathilaka being a beneficiary.

This means, the three players will be available for domestic cricket in four months time as they were suspended in June.

The three players had pleaded guilty for breaching the bio secure bubble in Durham ahead of the first ODI against England.