Hasaranga suspended from two Test after coming out of retirement

On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council suspended Wanindu Hasaranga for the two-Test series against Bangladesh. The news came just after the Sri Lanka all-rounder decided to make a return to Test cricket after taking retirement from the format last year.

Hasaranga was found guilty of breaching the article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during the third ODI in the recently concluded series against Bangladesh. The Code relates to, “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.” It happened in the 37^th over of the game when Hasaranga snatched his cap from one of the umpires and showed disagreement to the umpiring. Bangladesh eventually won the match by four wickets and the series 2-1.

Hasaranga received a 50 percent match-fee fine along with three demerit points for the offense. He was already on five demerit points and the recent three points brought his total demerit points to eight in a 24-month period. According to the article 7.6 of the Code, the eight demerit points have been converted into four suspension points now that equate to a ban from two Tests or four ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first. Hasaranga will therefore miss the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against Bangladesh.

See also: IPL 2024: Big blow to SRH as Wanindu Hasaranga returns to Test cricket, here’s why

Kusal Mendis earned three demerit points

Sri Lanka ODI skipper Kusal Mendis also received three demerit points and a 50 percent match fee fine for a Level 2 offence after he “abused the umpires while shaking hands with them” at the end of the third match.

The incident led to breach the article 2.13 of the Code of Conduct that relates to “Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match.” This was a first offence for Mendis in a 24-month period.

Both players admitted their offences and accepted the proposals by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.