ICC reprimand Sri Lanka for slow-over rate in first West Indies ODI

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday penalised the Sri Lanka men's cricket team for maintaining a slow-over rate during their first ODI of the three-match away series against West Indies on June 3.

According to the apex body, the touring side was ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration, resulting in Richie Richardson of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposing the sanction.

For the unversed, the players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time in accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences.

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis pleaded guilty to the offence, besides accepting the proposed sanction, and thus eradicated the need for a formal hearing, while on-field umpires Leslie Reifer and Wayne Knights, third umpire Allahuddien Paleker and fourth umpire Christopher Taylor levelled the charge.

For the unversed, Sri Lanka lead the three-match away series against West Indies 1-0, courtesy of their 41-run victory in the series opener, played at the Sabina Park in Kingston on Wednesday.

Put into bat first, the touring side piled up a formidable total of 303/7 in their 50 overs on the back of half-centuries by opener Pathum Nissanka and captain Mendis.

Nissanka remained the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with an anchoring 79 off 103 deliveries, followed by Mendis, who made a blistering 72 from just 62 balls, studded with four sixes and as many fours.

In turn, the hosts could muster 262 before getting bowled out in 49.2 overs despite their captain Shai Hope's half-century as Dushmantha Chameera dismantled their batting unit with a four-wicket haul.