Chandimal banned for two Tests and four ODIs for 'conduct contrary to the spirit of the game'

Dinesh Chandimal's ban, which has been served following an incident during the recent Test against West Indies, pleaded guilty to "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game"

^{Dinesh Chandimal has been banned by the ICC}

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has been suspended for two Test matches and four one-day internationals by the ICC.

Chandimal's ban, which has been served following Sri Lanka's mid-match protest against ball-tampering accusations during the recent Test in the West Indies, pleaded guilty to "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game".

His coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha have received identical bans after the trio were given eight suspension points by an independent judicial commissioner, following a six-hour hearing on Wednesday.

Michael Belhoff QC heard representations from legal counsel via video conference before considering his decision.

Sri Lanka refused to take to the field for two hours at the start of the third day in St Lucia after umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould charged them with altering the condition of the ball.

^{Chandimal will miss two Tests and four ODIs}

TV cameras had spotted Chandimal placing an object in his mouth before applying saliva to the ball. He was subsequently handed a one-match ban for ball-tampering.

Chandimal, Hathurusinghe and Gurusinha will not take part in the final two Test matches against South Africa - whom they currently lead 1-0 following an emphatic victory at Galle - or the ODIs in Dambulla on July 29 and August 1, and Kandy on August 5 and 8. 

Under the terms of their punishment, the coach and manager may not enter the dressing rooms, nor participate in the post-match presentation. 

Chandimal is barred from entering any part of the playing area but may enter the changing rooms during the period of his suspension.

The skipper has also been given six demerit points, meaning his total accrued now stands at 10. Should be be given 12 points within a 24-month period, Chandimal faces an automatic ban of either three Tests or six ODIs/T20s, or combination thereof.

Sri Lanka Cricket chose not to enforce any harsher sentence on Chandimal for the ball-tampering offence, despite the recent example from Cricket Australia, who dished out 12-month bans to Steve Smith and David Warner, and a nine-month suspension to Cameron Bancroft, for conspiring to alter the state of the ball during the third Test against South Africa in March.