Dinesh Chandimal Charged for Breaching Level 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct

Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal was charged for breaching Level 2.2.9 of the ICC Code OF Conduct. The clause relates to altering the condition of the match ball. It was on Saturday that Chandimal refused to take the field along with his teammates after the on-field umpires Ian Gould and Aleem Dar charged them to alter the conditions of the ball. They decided to change the ball and levied a penalty of 5 runs against Sri Lanka’s name. The 3^rd day’s play hadn’t begun by then. Hence after the 5 penalty runs, the score of Windies went from 118/2 to 123/2.

After a long delay for around a couple of years, Chandimal and Co took the field. Long discussions went on with the umpires. The match referee Javagal Srinath was also seen having an animated discussion with the Sri Lankan team officials. The play was eventually resumed after the Sri Lankan board urged them to continue with the game.

At the conclusion of the day’s play, Sri Lanka Cricket released a statement. They claimed that none of their players was involved in any wrongdoing. Hence they will protest against the charges which have been levied against him and the team by the on-field umpires. The Sri Lankan players were eventually advised by the SLC to take the field. It was done to ensure the continuity of the match. They also praised the decision which helped them keep the integrity of the game.

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The Sri Lankan Biard ensured that they “will take all necessary steps to defend any player, in the event any unwarranted allegation is brought against any members of the team.”

This is what the law states

The law states, “Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which was not specifically permitted under clause 41.3.2 may be regarded as ‘unfair’. The following actions shall not be permitted (this list of actions is not exhaustive but included for illustrative purposes).

It reads further as, “(a) deliberately throwing the ball into the ground for the purpose of roughening it up; (b) applying any artificial substance to the ball, and applying any non-artificial substance for any purpose other than to polish the ball; (c) lifting or otherwise interfering with any of the seams of the ball; (d) scratching the surface of the ball with finger or thumbnails or any implement.”

The law also says, “the umpires shall use their judgment to apply the principle that actions taken to maintain or enhance the condition of the ball, provided no artificial substances are used, shall be permitted. Any actions taken with the purpose of damaging the condition of the ball or accelerating the deterioration of the condition of the ball shall not be permitted.”

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