Did Athapaththu Breach the ICC Code of Conduct in Tri-Series Match Against South Africa?

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Did Athapaththu Breach the ICC Code of Conduct in Tri-Series Match Against South Africa?

Synopsis

Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari Athapaththu, finds herself in hot water after being fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during an intense tri-series match against South Africa. Discover the details of her actions, the penalties imposed, and the match's outcome as Sri Lanka battled for a place in the finals.

Key Takeaways

  • Chamari Athapaththu faced penalties for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.
  • She was fined 10 percent of her match fee.
  • A demerit point was added to her record.
  • The incident involved abuse of equipment.
  • Sri Lanka won the match and advanced to the finals.

Dubai, May 12 (NationPress) Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari Athapaththu, has incurred a 10 percent fine on her match fee for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Women’s Tri-series match against South Africa in Colombo on Friday.

Athapaththu was deemed to have violated Article 2.2 of the ICC’s Code, which pertains to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”

Moreover, one demerit point has been recorded against Athapaththu, marking her first offence within a 24-month timeframe.

The incident transpired in the 32nd over of South Africa’s innings, when, after conceding a four to Annerie Dercksen, Athapaththu removed her sunglasses and forcefully smashed them on the ground, shattering them.

Athapaththu acknowledged her misconduct and accepted the sanctions proposed by Michelle Pereira of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

The on-field officials, Anna Harris and Dedunu de Silva, alongside third umpire Lyndon Hannibal and fourth umpire Nimali Perera, brought forth the charges.

Level 1 breaches can result in a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the match, defeating South Africa by 76 runs, securing a place in the Tri-Series final against India on Sunday.

In the final showdown, India triumphed over Sri Lanka by 97 runs, achieving the highest women's ODI score (342/7) in Sri Lanka, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 116.

In response, India dismissed Sri Lanka for 245, with Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur taking seven wickets between them. Smriti was honored as the Player of the Match, while Sneh received the Player of the Series title for her impressive total of 15 wickets in the series.

Point of View

It is essential to uphold the integrity of cricket. Athapaththu's actions, while regrettable, highlight the pressures players face on the field. The ICC's response is appropriate, reinforcing the need for sportsmanship. Sri Lanka's journey in the tournament continues, and we remain supportive of our team in their pursuit of success.
NationPress
08/06/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Chamari Athapaththu fined for?
Chamari Athapaththu was fined 10 percent of her match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during a match against South Africa.
What specific code did Athapaththu violate?
She violated Article 2.2, which pertains to the abuse of cricket equipment during an International Match.
What penalty did Athapaththu receive?
In addition to the fine, she received one demerit point added to her disciplinary record.
What incident led to the fine?
The incident occurred when Athapaththu smashed her sunglasses to the ground after conceding a four.
How did Sri Lanka perform in the tri-series?
Sri Lanka won the match against South Africa by 76 runs, securing a place in the final against India.