Cricket: Another Sri Lankan ex-international likely to be charged by ICC

The Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to book another high profile Sri Lanka ex-international cricketer on corruption charges next week. 

Then upon its findings the ACU is likely extend its booking list. 

An ex-cricketing Sri Lankan insider on grounds of anonymity said, “It is certain that former Lankan cricket captain and selection committee chairman Sanath Jayasuriya will be charged, but his offence is such it would carry a ban of maximum two years. It is also learned that Jayasuriya has confessed to say that he was blackmailed. However it would be a wakeup call.” 

However, he said that former ex-international Nuwan Zoysa’s case may be more severe. 

He said “As it is Nuwan Zoysa may face a life ban. But, now that Zoysa is said to have confessed to his involvement and if he comes out with the truth he may get away with a lesser ban”. 

The ACU officials are also very interested in the whereabouts of first-class cricketer Hemal Mendis who is attached to Sri Lanka Cricket. 

Earlier Sanath Jayasuriya was charged with not cooperating with a match-fixing probe and concealing information to the International Cricket Council. 

"The International Cricket Council (ICC) has charged Jayasuriya on two counts of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and given him 14 days to respond," the ICC said in a statement. 

However Jayasuriya, 49, was reportedly has filed his answers with the ICC and is awaiting ICC’s response. 

Zoysa was provisionally suspended by the ICC with immediate effect. 

The International Cricket Council charged Sri Lankan bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa with three counts of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. 

The charges are as follows: 

1. Article 2.1.1 – being party to an effort to fix or contrive or to otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspect of an International match. 

2. Article 2.1.4 – directly soliciting, inducing, enticing or encouraging a player to breach Code Article 2.1.1. 

3. Article 2.4.4 – failing to disclose to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit full details of any approaches or invitations he received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code. 

Meanwhile the ICC sleuths also interviewed Hemal Mendis and reportedly took possession of his mobile phone.