SL v ENG 2018: Lahiru Kumara thrown out from national squad for breaching SL's code of conduct

Sri Lankan Team Management has been especially strict on curfew times over the past two months.

Lahiru Kumara excluded from Sri Lankan squad against England | Getty Images

Sri Lankan fast-bowler Lahiru Kumara has been suspended from all forms of international cricket by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after being found guilty of breaching the team's code of conduct on Monday (November 5).

Kumara, one of Sri Lankan cricket’s brightest young stars, is understood to have broken the national team curfew on Sunday evening – two days before the first Test of the three-match series against England in Galle, starting from Tuesday (November 6).

Following the latest development, SLC has confirmed that the 21-year-old seamer was expelled from the national Test squad and has been replaced by Dushmantha Chameera in the 16-member squad for the home Test series against England.

A statement by Sri Lankan Board reads, “Lahiru Kumara, who was in the 16 member test squad to face England in the three match series, has been found guilty of breaching the code of conduct of the team.  Accordingly, the team management decided to replace him. Dushmantha Chameera comes in as the replacement, with immediate effect.”

Meanwhile, Kumara's exclusion paves way for Chameera's return to the Test fold, as the 26-year-old last played a Test for his country against South Africa at St George's Park in 2016.

Kumara, who made his Test debut at 19, was the most impressive performer against England in the warm-up matches last week, taking 3 wickets within 12 balls, as well as, he was also impressive during the West Indies tour, picking 17 wickets at an average of 19.88 across three Tests, and was the second-highest wicket-taker of the series behind Shannon Gabriel.

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 06 Nov, 2018

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