On Friday, Sri Lanka Cricket lifted the one-year disciplinary bans it had imposed on the trio of Kushal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka. This, less than six months into the suspension period for their breach of the bubble security for the limited-overs tour of the UK last summer.
The decision to allow their return to the international game has been made after a collective request from the three cricketers. It is in line with their similar request to lift the six-month ban on playing domestic cricket, which allowed all three of Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka to take part in the second edition of the Lanka Premier League in December.
“The latest decision was taken following a request made by the three players to Sri Lanka Cricket to lift the ban imposed on them, pursuant to the conclusion of the LPL 2021,”
“Based on such request, Sri Lanka Cricket obtained a report from the doctor appointed by SLC to provide counselling for the three players during their period of suspension.”
stated a media release by SLC, which paves way for the resumption of three players’ stint at the international and domestic level both.
The latest development makes the three first-choice players eligible for reinclusion ahead of Sri Lanka’s next assignment, a set of three Super League ODIs in Pallekele against Zimbabwe on January 16, 18 and 21, respectively.
However, SLC confirmed, if the three players are involved in any other breach of health security in the manner they did in Durham, they will be liable for the remainder of the suspension period to initiate. Pertinent to the matter, this remaining suspension period is of a little over six months.
The ban that was imposed after a controversial incident in Durham had seen opening batter Gunathilaka, middle-order bat Mendis and wicketkeeper-batter Dickwella miss the T20 World Cup in the United Arabic Emirates in October-November.
Having warmed up to competitive cricket back with the LPL 2021, the three players are expected to make a swift return to international stage with the fixtures against Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka will soon be travelling to Bangladesh and India, two difficult series for which they will need the trio to be at their best.
