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Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis can begin a new lease of life
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to lift the one-year ban on all forms of international cricket imposed on Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella with immediate effect. The ban was in effect until June 2022.
However, the lifted suspension will be on hold for two years during which the three players’ conduct will be closely monitored by SLC.
The decision was taken at the SLC Executive Committee meeting held yesterday.
“The ExCo took a decision to lift their international bans following an appeal made by the three cricketers. There were also good reports on them from the doctor who did the mandatory counselling on each of them,” said SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva.
A media release from SLC stated: “Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to lift the one-year suspension imposed on the above three players from playing International Cricket, across all three formats, with immediate effect. The latest decision was taken following a request made by the three players to Sri Lanka Cricket to lift the ban imposed on them, pursuant to the conclusion of the LPL 2021.
“Based on such a request, Sri Lanka Cricket obtained a report from the doctor, appointed by SLC to provide counselling for the three players during their period of suspension. Upon consideration of the said report submitted by the doctor, the Executive Committee of the SLC decided at a meeting held yesterday to remove the suspension of the said three players.
“However, the lifted suspension will remain suspended for a period of two years, during which the three players’ conduct will be closely monitored by the SLC. Accordingly, the three players will be able to engage in playing domestic cricket with immediate effect and will also be available for national selection, subject to complying with mandatory fitness standards.”
Earlier, on an appeal made by the three banned players, SLC decided to lift the six-month domestic ban that enabled them to make a comeback to competitive cricket by playing in the second edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) that was held last month.
Mendis made maximum use of it to finish as the top run-getter of the tournament scoring 327 runs (avg. 36.33) at a strike rate of 148.63 for Galle Gladiators who ended as runner-up to Jaffna Kings.
Mendis’ opening partner for Galle was Gunathilaka who played an astonishing innings of 54 off 21 balls in the final against Jaffna Kings to end as the sixth highest run-getter in the tournament with 226 runs and a strike rate of 129.88.
Dickwella had a rather moderate run with the bat for Dambulla Giants making a top score of 37, but showcased his captaincy skills when regular captain Dasun Shanaka was injured to take the team as far as Qualifier 2 where they were beaten by the eventual champions Jaffna Kings.
The trio received bans and fines from SLC for breaching the team’s bio-bubble on the tour of England in June last year.
On the payment of their Rs. 10 million each fine and a good report from the mandatory counselling doctor SLC lifted the domestic ban, and now following a further appeal and good reports the international ban imposed on them has also been lifted thus making them eligible for selection to the national team for future international matches.
During the period the trio underwent the suspension (six months) the three cricketers missed out on playing nine ODIs, 14 T20Is that included the T20 World Cup and two Test matches. Many were of the view that had they played in the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka could have qualified for the semi-finals and even to the final.
