Dasun Shanaka penalised for ‘changing condition of ball’

Sri Lanka allrounder Dasun Shanaka has been handed three demerit points, and a fine worth 75% of his match fees, after being caught on television “picking up an area on the ball next to the seam several times.” So said an ICC release, which also mentioned that Shanaka did not contest the charges laid on him by the match officials in the Nagpur Test.

The incident took place on Saturday, during the 50th over of India’s innings. The umpires Joel Wilson, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong and C Shamshuddin brought it to the attention of the match referee David Boon after the end of second day’s play. Subsequently, Shanaka was found to be in breach of Article 2.2.9 of the ICC code of conduct, which relates to “changing the condition of the ball.”

“These are early days in Dasun’s career and I am sure this sanction will ensure he is more careful when maintaining the condition of the ball in the future,” Boon said.

Shanaka’s record contains three demerit points now. If he is slapped with one more within a 24-month period, he will be suspended for one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first.