Niroshan Dickwella suspended for two limited over matches by ICC

Sri Lankan opening batsman and wicket keeper of the limited overs team, Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended for two limited-overs matches after showing dissent over an umpiring decision during the 2nd T20I against Australia in Geelong on Tuesday. The incident occurred when Dickwella was given out caught behind by Simon fry of the bowling of James Faulkner despite Dickwella not getting a feather.

It was the 2nd time that the swashbuckling southpaw has breached ICC’s code of conduct and adding to the two-match suspension he had also received two demerit points and fined 30% of the match fees. “During the second Twenty20 International against Australia in Geelong on Sunday, Dickwella was found guilty of breaching article 2.1.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Player and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match,” the ICC was quoted as saying during a media release.

Aussie wicket-keeper Tim Paine who took the catch to dismiss Dickwella was also fined 15% of his match fees for breaching Article 2.1.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Under the current scenario, Dickwella will miss the final T20I against Australia on 22nd February and will also miss the 1st ODI against Bangladesh scheduled to be played on 25th March.

“As Dickwella had received a 50 percent fine and three demerit points in the fourth ODI against South Africa in Cape Town on 8 February 2017, with the addition of these two demerit points, he has reached the minimum threshold of four demerit points, which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have now been converted into two suspension points,” the statement from ICC added.

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On field umpires Sam Nogajski and Simon Fry along with 3rd umpire Joel Wilson and match official Michael Graham Smith levelled the charges against the wicketkeepers from either side. “The Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player,” the statement concluded.