SRI LANKA NEWS

SLC suspends players involved in match fixing in domestic cricket

by Rex Clementine • Last updated on

Panadura Sports Club and Kalutara Physical and Culture Club engaged in foul play during the last season that saw one club gaining promotion and the other club avoiding relegation. © Getty

Sri Lanka Cricket has punished two teams playing first-class cricket after they were engaged in foul play during the last season that saw one club gaining promotion and the other club avoiding relegation.

Accordingly all players of Panadura Sports Club and Kalutara Physical and Culture Club received a one year suspension from all cricket related activities while the captains - Chamara Silva and Manoj Deshapriya have been suspended for two years on Saturday (September 16).

Silva, a former Test cricketer, interestingly reported sick for third day's play during which the suspicious activities happened. He is likely to appeal his suspension. SLC also declared the match and result void and will now adjust the points table which would mean that Panadura SC will be relegated to Tier 'B' while Kalutara PCC will no longer play first-class cricket and will be demoted to Sara Trophy.

SLC have also imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on each club. The board will now conduct an inquiry as to why the match officials didn't take appropriate action to stop foul play.

The game in question took place in January this year in Maggona, some 75 kilometers from Colombo. It was a Tier 'B' Premier League match where the patterns of scoring aroused suspicion. Panadura won the game and became champions of Tier 'B' gaining promotion to Tier 'A'. Ports Authority, who were leading Tier 'B' and were set to earn promotion to the top division, raised objections forcing SLC to probe the game

The game had been severely affected by rain and with a result out of the equation, both clubs decided to fix the game and some outrageous cricket followed.

Kalutara batted first and posted 390 all out. Resuming from the overnight score of 180 for 2 on the third and final day, Kalutara posted 423 all out in 68 overs scoring 243 runs in 23 overs that morning going at a rate of more than ten runs an over.

The rest of the game too went at alarming pace. Kalutara went onto make 197 runs in their second essay only in 22 overs scoring at more than eight runs an over. Chasing a target off 165 in 15 overs, Panadura got home with eight deliveries to spare scoring at more than 12 runs an over. On day three, in all, 605 runs were scored in 60 overs.

The result benefited booth teams as Panadura were promoted to the top division while Kalutara avoided relegation. However, there was a storm of protest from other teams and the local media.

© Cricbuzz

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