Sri Lanka cricket team’s stand-in captain Upul Tharanga has been suspended for two matches due to his team’s slow over rate in Saturday’s ICC Champions Trophy match against South Africa cricket, the International Cricket Council said. (Match highlights)
Sri Lanka completed their 50 overs more than half an hour behind schedule during the 96-run defeat by the South Africans at The Oval in London. (Match scorecard)
“Tharanga pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” the ICC said in a statement.
Tharanga, deputising as captain for the injured Angelo Mathews, will miss Sri Lanka’s remaining Group B matches against India and Pakistan.
A dominant South Africa beat Sri Lanka, helped by Hashim Amla’s classy century.
Sri Lanka, chasing 300 for victory, started brightly but were soon in trouble after losing wickets at regular intervals.
South Africa’s Morne Morkel made the first breakthrough when he dismissed the dangerous Niroshan Dickwella for 41 after the Sri Lanka opener’s attempted drive down the ground resulted in a comfortable catch for Wayne Parnell at third man.
{{/usCountry}}South Africa’s Morne Morkel made the first breakthrough when he dismissed the dangerous Niroshan Dickwella for 41 after the Sri Lanka opener’s attempted drive down the ground resulted in a comfortable catch for Wayne Parnell at third man.
{{/usCountry}}Skipper AB de Villiers chipped in with a stunning catch to send Kusal Mendis packing for 11 runs, nonchalantly plucking the ball out of the air one-handed, and then ran out Dinesh Chandimal for 12 with a direct hit.
With Sri Lanka suddenly reeling at 116-3, leg-spinner Imran Tahir got into the act, trapping Chamara Kapugedera leg-before for a duck, before enticing Upul Tharanga into a lofted drive that was caught by David Miller in the deep.