Opening batsman hits twin fifties in ongoing Colombo Test but playing future is uncertain amid alleged code of conduct breach
Sri Lanka slap ban on Gunathilaka
Sri Lanka batsman Danushka Gunathilaka has been suspended from all forms of international cricket by his national board, pending an inquiry into an alleged breach of code of conduct regulations.
The 27-year-old's suspension will come into affect after the conclusion of the ongoing Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa on Tuesday.
The opening batsman hit 57 and 61 in the second and final Test against the Proteas in Colombo, with the home side five wickets from wrapping up a 2-0 series win.
Gunathilaka's fee for the match will also be withheld pending the outcome of the inquiry, but mystery surrounds the exact nature of Gunathilaka's alleged offence to merit the suspension.
"Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) decided to suspend Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of international cricket for breaching the 'Player Code of Conduct', pending inquiry," the SLC said in a statement.
"The decision to suspend the player was taken following an initial inquiry conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket, after the team management reported that the player have violated the 'Code of Conduct'."
The left-handed opening batsman has a history of disciplinary issues. He was officially reprimanded by the ICC for a Level 1 breach of their code of conduct for giving Bangladesh batsmen Tamim Iqbal a send-off in a T20 match.
He was suspended for three matches by Sri Lanka last October for misconduct during the home series against India, revised down from a six-match ban with the other three suspended, amid reports he had skipped training and turned up to a match without kit.
"The charges relate to misconduct and behaving in a manner unbecoming of a player, and the breach of several clauses of his contract which relate to fitness and discipline," a Sri Lanka Cricket official said at the time.
He was also omitted from an ODI tour against Pakistan and was fined 20 per cent of his annual contract.
The latest indiscretion follows a sanction for leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who was put on probation, given a one-year suspended sentence from all forms of international cricket, and also fined 20 per cent of his annual contract fee following a night out in the Caribbean earlier this year.
Vandersay can continue to play for Sri Lanka but any further indiscretions in the next 12 months will trigger a one-year ban.
Vandersay had been sent home from the West Indies mid-tour following the second Test in St Lucia after he failed to report back to the team hotel following a night out. He later apologised for his conduct on Twitter.
Hi guys. I would like to apologise to everyone for letting you all down. SLC have given me a suspended sentence for a year which I won’t take for granted and promise that i will do everything to make my country and team proud.— Jeffrey Vandersay (@Vandersay) July 20, 2018
In Colombo, Sri Lanka are closing in on a series whitewash against South Africa ahead of the fourth day on Monday.
After three days, Sri Lanka's spinners had ripped their way through the Proteas top order yet again to leave them reeling on 5-139 in pursuit of an impossible-looking 490 victory target.
Against batsmen who clearly decided that attack was the best form of defence, off-spinner Akila Dananjaya and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took two wickets apiece, with off-spinner Dilruwan Perera also dismissing Dean Elgar.