Dambulla, Aug. 20: Kumar Sangakkara found himself the centre of yet more unwelcome attention when he was reported for a Level II offence for making deliberate body contact with off-spinner Nathan McCullum midway through Sri Lanka’s innings in their washed out triseries league game against New Zealand here on Friday.
Sangakkara ran into the bowler while going for a quick run, leading to a mid-pitch altercation that was quickly defused. Later however, match referee Alan Hurst of Australia laid the charge against the beleaguered Lankan skipper.
Speaking later on the incident, team vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene, who was batting on a fine 59 (72b, 4x4, 1x6) when the rain came, said, “It was a crucial match for both teams and these things happen at the heat of the moment. I saw the replay and Sangakkara was clearly blinded. Both players had a chat in the dressing room and things are fine now, I think it has got to be buried.”
With the weather having the final say, New Zealand are on top of the table with seven points from three matches followed by Sri Lanka who have six points from as many matches. India are currently third with five points from two games and face Sri Lanka in their next match on Sunday.
Earlier, Jayawardene after managing only nine runs in his two previous innings regained form with a fine unbeaten effort and was batting with Chamara Silva (41) when the heavens opened up. The duo had added 72 runs in 14 overs after Ross Taylor won his fourth successive toss and decided to bowl in a bid to use the overcast conditions.
ICC stipulates...
* Law 2.2.4: Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between Players in the course of play during an international match
* Without limitation, Players will breach this regulation if they deliberately walk or run into or shoulder another player
* The imposition of a fine of between 50-100% of applicable Match Fee and/or two (2) Suspension Points