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Wanindu Hasaranga, the iconic spin bowler from Sri Lanka, has been fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct on 30th June 2023 during the ICC Men’s World Cup Qualifier match at Queen’s Sports Club (Bulawayo) against the Netherlands.
As per reports, Wanindu Hasaranga hit the boundary skirtings aggressively with his bat while returning to the pavilion. According to the ICC Code of Conduct (Level 1), this behaviour is not permissible, which is the main reason for Hasaranga’s penalty.
The ICC Code of Conduct’s Article 2.2 applies to all international players and Player Support Personnel. It pertains to the abuse of cricket jerseys or equipment, ground fixtures or equipment and fittings during International Matches.
With this decision, the disciplinary record of Wanindu Hasaranga got one more demerit point, bringing the total number of demerit points to two. Earlier, within the last 24 months, the player committed his first offence and was reprimanded by the board.
This time, Wanindu Hasaranga accepted the sanction, admitting the offence himself. Shaid Wadvalla is the referee who proposed this sanction. He is a member of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. No formal hearing has been planned.
Greg Brathwaite and Martin Saggers have issued the charge, the on-field umpires and Jayaraman Madanagopal, the third umpire and Asif Yaqoob, the fourth umpire of the match. Hasaranga’s action was out of his disappointment on losing the wicket.
The ICC Code of Conduct’s Level 1 breaches are not among the most serious offences, and so, these breaches incur minimal penalties. The maximum penalty for these breaches is 50 per cent of the match fee of a player and demerit points of one or two. Wanindu Hasaranga is supposed to be penalised the same.
Wanindu Hasaranga is one of the most promising talents in international cricket, who started his career with domestic matches. He appeared in several List A, FC and T20 matches and the World Cup for the Under-19 team. His international ODI debut was on 2 July 2017.
As a leg-spin bowler, Hasaranga is currently in the 1st position in both the ICC ODI and T-20 bowlers ranking. He is a right-handed batsman with an impressive 110.2 strike rate in ODI. He is an all-rounder in the 5th and 4th positions in the ICC ODI and T-20 ranking.
Some of Wanindu Hasaranga’s records have made him a rising star among all the contemporary players. The list includes the ‘first Sri Lankan debutant bowler and the third debutant in the world with a hat-trick’, the ‘most consecutive four and five wickets in an innings’ and many more.
In the last World Cup Qualifier series, where he was penalised by the ICC, Wanindu Hasaranga’s matches brought him the ICC Men's Player of the Month (June). Sri Lanka won the Qualifier series, beating the Netherlands by 128 runs.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s penalty has once again highlighted the importance of the ICC Code of Conduct on the field. Despite holding out the topmost rank, players need to be cautious of their actions and control their emotions during a match.
FAQs
What is the age of Hasaranga?
Wanindu Hasaranga’s age at present is 26. His date of birth is 29th July 1997.
Does Hasaranga have any connection with Chaturanga de Silva?
Chaturanga de Silva, the well-known cricketer, is the elder brother of Wanindu Hasaranga. He represented the Sri Lankan national team in 2014–2017.
Which code of conduct has Hasaranga breached?
Wanindu Hasaranga has breached the Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
Why is Hasaranga not playing test matches at present?
Hasaranga is currently focusing on limited-over matches. So, he decided not to play test matches anymore.
