Dickwella gets two-match ban for another misconduct

Reuters: Sri Lanka opener Niroshan Dickwella has been banned for two limited-over matches after his latest breach of ICC code of conduct, the International Cricket Council said on Tuesday.

Dickwella was found guilty of “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision” during the second Twenty20 International against Australia in Geelong on Sunday, for which he received two demerit points and was fined 30 percent of his match fee.

If a player accumulates four to seven demerit points within a two-year period they are converted into two suspension points, which brings a ban for one test or two one-day internationals or Twenty20s.

Dickwella was given a 50% fine and three demerit points in the fourth ODI against South Africa in Cape Town on 8 February, and the two additional demerits means he has exceeded the threshold of four demerits in a two-year period.

The 23-year-old will accordingly miss the third Twenty20 International against Australia in Adelaide on 22 February, and Sri Lanka’s first ODI against Bangladesh on 25 March, the ICC said.

Dickwella was adjudged to have shown dissent when he “kicked the turf and looked at his shoulder for a prolonged period of time” after pausing to view the replay following his dismissal in Geelong, the ICC added.

Australia wicketkeeper Tim Paine was also fined 15 percent of his match fee and given one demerit point for a related incident in the same game.

Paine was found guilty of “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an International Match,” the ICC added.

Sri Lanka have already wrapped up the ongoing series Down Under after winning the first two Twenty20 Internationals.

Sri Lanka plans bigger comeback despite minor setback

Following Sri Lanka’s stunning last-ball win over Australia during the second T20 match on Sunday at Geelong’s Kardinia Park, the team, despite a few setbacks, will return to clinch the trophy, in what they hope will be a whitewash of the series in Australia. 

Five-zero is Sri Lanka’s win-loss record in T20s in Australia to-date. It is the second best record in a country without losing a game. Australia is the only country where Sri Lanka has not lost a T20 and they are the only team unbeaten in Australia. 

“The team has performed very well during the last two T20 matches in Australia and are preparing well for the third. Despite the fact that Niroshan Dickwella will not be playing the third match for having reportedly violated the ICC code of conduct, the performance of the team will be unhindered and they will continue to do their best,” said Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva. 

The suspension will be a setback to the young lad who hauled Sri Lanka to victory in South Africa when he spoiled AB de Villiers’ comeback by snatching the T20 series, which also is Sri Lanka’s first claim to silverware in South Africa. 

It was during this match that Dickwella scored his career best 68.

However, Dickwella and South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada were fined 50% of their match fees for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the fourth One-Day International in Cape Town. In addition to the fines, three demerit points were added to both Dickwella and Rabada’s disciplinary records.

Pursuant to Article 7.6 of the code, when Dickwella reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, it will be converted into suspension points and will be banned. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test, two ODIs or two T20s, whatever comes first for the player.

Since Dickwella will miss the next match, Kusal Mendis will keep wickets.