Chamari Athapaththu Fined for Breach of ICC Code of Conduct

Sri Lanka women’s cricket team captain Chamari Athapaththu has been fined 10% of her match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during a tri-series match against South Africa held in Colombo on Friday.

Athapaththu was found guilty of a Level 1 offence under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match.”

The incident occurred during the 32nd over of South Africa’s innings when, after conceding a boundary to Annerie Dercksen, Athapaththu angrily threw her sunglasses to the ground, breaking them in the process.

The Sri Lankan skipper accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Michelle Pereira, and as a result, no formal hearing was required. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Anna Harris and Dedunu de Silva, third umpire Lyndon Hannibal, and fourth umpire Nimali Perera.

As part of the penalty, one demerit point has been added to Athapaththu’s disciplinary record. This is her first offence in a 24-month period.

According to ICC rules, once a player accumulates four or more demerit points within 24 months, it results in suspension points which can lead to a ban from international matches.