Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday fined the Sri Lankan men’s cricket team for maintaining a slow over rate during the first ODI of the three-match series against the West Indies on June 3.
According to the apex committee, after consideration of time allowances, the touring team was judged to be two overs short of the target, resulting in the sanction imposed by Richie Richardson of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.
For ineligibles, as per ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel 2.22, failure to bowl within the allotted time will result in a fine of five per cent of the match fee for each over.
Sri Lankan captain Gusal Mendis pleaded guilty and accepted the proposed sanction, thereby eliminating the need for a formal trial, while on-field umpires Leslie Reiber and Wayne Knights, third umpire Allauddin Balekar and fourth umpire Christopher Taylor were charged.
Sri Lanka lead the three-match series against the West Indies 1-0.
Batting first, the tour team posted 303/7 in 50 overs on the back of half-centuries from opener Pathum Nisanga and skipper Mendis.
Nissanga was Sri Lanka’s top scorer anchoring a 103-ball 79, followed by Mendis’ 72 off 62 balls with 4 sixes and several fours.
In turn, a four-wicket haul from Dushmanda Sameera shattered their batting line-up, despite a half-century from their skipper Shai Hope as the hosts managed to amass 262 runs in 49.2 overs.