Tharanga fined 50%

Sri Lanka opener Tharanga Paranavitana has been fined 50 percent of his match fee after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test against New Zealand.

The punishment was handed down by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees following a hearing at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground at the conclusion of the second Test in Colombo on Sunday. The player had pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule C1 of the Code (Level 2) which states that players shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game.

The incident that led to the charge that took place in the 51st over of New Zealand's second innings when Paranavitana claimed a catch at silly mid-off when the ball was hit to him by number-10 batsman Iain O'Brien.

C.D.