New 'Toiletgate' story creates a stir in Sri Lankan cricket

Two senior players complained ICC about the mysterious behaviour of a cricketer.

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(Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan cricket is going through a very rough phase at the moment. They had to suffer humiliating defeats against Zimbabwe and now, they were simply outclassed by the men in blue in the first Test match at the Galle International Stadium. It seems as it the Lankan lions are taking much time to recover from the loss of two pillars of Lankan cricket, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Now, a new story has rocked the roots of Sri Lankan cricket. The story, termed as ‘Toiletgate’, reveals that during Sri Lanka’s ODI series against Zimbabwe, two senior players of the team complained ICC’s anti-corruption panel about the mysterious behaviour of a fellow teammate. The two seniors said ICC that they are suspicious regarding the behaviour of the player.

Hearing this, ICC employed its anti-corruption panel to work on it. It has got its name as ‘Toiletgate’ since, during the ODI series, detectives from anti-corruption panel rushed into the players’ dressing room and then into the bathrooms. Interestingly, they were looking for some sort of a device. The Sunday Times mentioned that ICC is investigating the case now.

When The Sunday Times asked SLC Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva about the incident, he said. “As far as we are concerned, we are not aware of any such incident, but these investigations are made independently by the ICC anti-corruption unit.” The accused in this case, Sampath Hettiarachchi, was attending team meetings during the series. He was later banned from being a part of the meetings.

“Sampath Hettiarachchiis employed by the SLC and he is tipped to take over the SLC ‘brain centre’ which we will be commissioning soon. So to familiarise with his duties that he has to perform, he has to attend such meetings and at the same time no one has barred him from attending team meetings if and when necessary,” Ashley further added.

Not the first time!

This is not the first when such an incident has snapped the roots of sanctity in Sri Lankan cricket. Earlier this year in March, the anti-corruption unit called for a Sri Lankan player when the team was subjected to a defeat at the  P. Sara Oval against Bangladesh. In 2010, off-spinner Suraj Randiv was involved in a shameful incident where he deliberately bowled a no-ball to former Indian opener Virender Sehwag, so as to prevent him from scoring a century.

What was more shocking was the fact that Sri Lankan legendary cricketer TM Dilshan was the mastermind of this cheap planning. Later, Dilshan was subjected to a heavy fine whereas Randiv was handed a one-match ban. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara was also cautioned.

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