Sri Lankan Spinner Akila Dananjaya Banned from Bowling in International Cricket

Sri Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya has been banned from bowling in international cricket for 12 months. The International Cricket Council announced on Thursday following an independent assessment of his action.

He, along with Kane Williamson, was reported for suspect bowling action during the New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka.

“The 25-year-old was assessed after the legality of his bowling action came under question by match officials in the first Test against New Zealand in Galle from 14-18 August. He subsequently underwent the independent assessment in Chennai on 29 August, which revealed that he employed an illegal bowling action,” an ICC press release read.

 List of players sanctioned for illegal actions (may be incomplete)

According to reports, Dananjaya’s bowling arm was bent over the permitted limit of 15 degrees a few times. It was generally between four degrees and 17 degrees. The data in the report was verified by Dr Andrea Cutti, the ICC’s Human Movement Specialist.

Dhananjaya, who was initially suspended in December 2018, continued to bowl with small changes in his bowling. The second report that came within a two-year period of the first led to automatic suspension of the spinner from bowling in international cricket for a period of 12 months. ICC also said that Dananjaya will be entitled to approach the cricketing body for a re-assessment of his bowling action after the expiry of this one-year period.

Danajaya, 25, has played in six Tests, 36 ODIs, and 22 T20Is for Sri Lanka.