Athapaththu fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in tri-series match against SA

Dubai, May 12 (IANS) Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Women’s Tri-series match against South Africa in Colombo on Friday.

Athapaththu was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match”.

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Athapaththu’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

The incident occurred in the 32nd over of South Africa’s innings, when after being hit for a four by Annerie Dercksen, Athapaththu took off her sunglasses and smashed them to the ground, breaking them into several pieces.

Athapaththu admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Michelle Pereira of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Anna Harris and Dedunu de Silva, third umpire Lyndon Hannibal and fourth umpire Nimali Perera levelled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Sri Lanka won the match by 76 runs to book a Tri-Series final against India on Sunday.

In the summit clash, India outclassed Sri Lanka by 97 runs to claim the title after posting the highest women's ODI score (342/7) in Sri Lanka, and their fourth-highest total in the format, courtesy of Smriti Mandhana's 116.

In reply, India bundled out Sri Lanka for 245 as Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur shared seven wickets between them. Smriti was named Player of the Match while Sneh bagged the Player of the Series accolade for clinching 15 scalps in the series.

--IANS

ab/