Jayawardena fined 10 percent of match fee for dissent

It was all in the heat of the moment

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Adelaide

With the Sri Lankans celebrating victory over Australia in the second of three Commonwealth Bank Tri series, it disappointed the team when it was known that skipper Mahela Jayawardena was fined 10 per cent of his match fee for arguing with the on-field umpires.

Jayawardena is one of the finest gentlemen playing the game today in a cricket world that is fast loosing men of his caliber. It sad to hear of the fine docked on Jayawardena. But that should not unduly worry the Lankan charismatic leader. It was all in the heat of the moment.Jayawardena is supposed to have breached article 2.1.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct which related to ‘showing dissent at an umpires decision at an international match’.

This is how the incident took place: In the 44th over Farveez Maharoof bowled a waist high full toss to Michael Clarke who hit the delivery for four. Umpire Bruce Oxenford declared no-ball after a delay.

Jayawardena was disappointed and argued with both on field umpires, the other being Asad Rauff. Jayawardena did not challenge the no-ball, but that the umpire took too long to signal it that annoyed the skipper.

The skipper said that he was the culprit for dragging the issue too long. He said that he initially thought that the umpire did not make the call waist high or whatever and delayed in making the call. ICC match referee former England opening batsman Chris Broad said that Jayawardena had pleaded guilty to the offence.

‘It is understandable that Jayawardena felt disappointed after Maharoof’s delivery which had been dispatched for a boundary, was also declared no-ball for a full toss above waist height.

‘Being one of the senior most players in world cricket and also as the captain of his side Jayawardena must maintain a certain level of self control and clearly his actions was beyond what could be deemed acceptable’, said the match referee. Adelaide Oval, Wednesday