Sachithra Senanayake fined for dissent in the first T20I against Australia

Sri Lankan off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake has been fined 30 per cent of his match fee for making derogatory remarks during the opening T20 game against Australia in Pallekele, the Indian Cricket Council declared on Wednesday.

As per the rules laid out by the ICC’s Code of Conduct, Senanayake has been found to breach the Article 2.1.7 for Players and Player Support Personnel, pertaining to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his dismissal during an international match".

“As such, there was no need for a formal hearing," A statement released by the ICC confirmed.

The incident took place in the fifth over of the visitor’s innings when Senanayake vented out his frustration in a vocal tirade after dismissing Australian skipper David Warner. The bowler’s disposition was such that it could have possibly provoked a reaction from the batsman.

The skipper, however, didn't retaliate to Senanayake's outburst on his way back to the pavilion. Warner, who has been involved in many heated exchanges in his long career so far, had revealed recently that he was trying and working on controlling his uneasy temperament.

"I have got to try and somehow learn how to curb my anger a little bit as well because it can be frustrating and it can get to me a little bit with those scenarios. So I have got to deal with them in my ways," Warner was quoted saying.

Javagal Srinath, the match referee, levied a fine of 30 per cent on the bowler, which was accepted by Senanayake. Incidentally, the charge was reported by umpires Deepal Gunawardene, Ranmore Martinesz, Raveendra Wimalasiri and Ruchira Palliyaguruge.

Nearly every week we have been hearing of a cricketer being fined a part of his match fee for violating rules during the game. India A skipper Manish Pandey, South Africa A duo Tabraiz Shamsi, and India A bowler Dhawal Kulkarni were all fined recently for breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct.

Australia hit a world record 263-3 to pull up an 85-run win in the first T20 game Vs Sri Lanka for a 1-0 lead in the series. The second T20 will be played on September 9 at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo This is also the last international series for Tillakaratne Dilshan, who has decided to bid farewell to cricket.