Cricketer Who Hit the Boundary Rope With His Bat Receives Strong Reprimand From Match Referee
Colombo: The match referee’s job in the second and final Test between India and Sri Lanka has involved more than just cricketing matters, as this has become the second incident in the match in which a player has been reprimanded or fined. The match referee has now had to take action against three players in total, with Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya being the latest.
After Jayasuriya was given out lbw by the umpire off spinner Manav Suthar’s delivery on the second day on Monday, he struck the boundary rope with his bat while walking back, causing damage to it. He then expressed his frustration by throwing his gloves after reaching the dressing room.
Match referee Andy Pycroft issued Jayasuriya a strong reprimand under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Since this was Jayasuriya’s first such offence in the last 24 months, he was let off with a reprimand only.
Manjrekar Criticises Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka finished the second day on Monday at 8/2. The issue arose when both Sri Lankan batters were unwilling to continue playing, citing bad light. Manjrekar said in an interview, “There was enough sunlight to play and the ball was clearly visible, so the umpire allowed play to continue. While arguing with the umpires, both Sri Lankan batters lost their concentration, and shortly afterwards, spinner Manav Suthar dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya lbw. Normally, in cases of bad light, the umpires themselves give the batters the option of whether they want to continue playing or not. In the Colombo Test, the light was not poor, so the umpire allowed play to continue.”
Sri Lankans Lost Their Own Concentration
One of the two umpires was Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza, while the other was Bangladesh’s Sharfuddoula. Manjrekar said in the interview, “The Sri Lankan batters themselves lost their focus on the game, and in the process, nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya lost his wicket. Manav Suthar is in excellent form and he trapped Jayasuriya perfectly to dismiss him.”
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On Monday, Pycroft also fined Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando 25 per cent of their match fees each for the heated confrontation between the two players during Sunday’s play.