Sri Lanka lift international ban on trio

Niroshan Dickwella

Niroshan Dickwella is one of three Sri Lankans whose international bans have been cut short. Credit: AAP

Source:Thewest

Three Sri Lanka cricketers who broke COVID-19 movement restrictions while on tour in England last year have had their suspensions from the international game lifted.

Sri Lanka Cricket said it had agreed to reprieve wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella and top-order batsmen Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis, who were given 12-month suspensions.

The governing body agreed to the players’ request to have the punishment lifted. They have served less than six months of their ban.

The opinion of a doctor appointed to counsel the players was also considered, the officials said.

The three players in July were given one-year bans from international cricket, six-month bans from domestic cricket, and a fine of approximately $US50,000 ($A70,000) after they were seen outside the team hotel and broke curfews.

The trio missed the T20 World Cup but also had their domestic suspension lifted early so they could play locally in December.

They are eligible for selection for the home series against Zimbabwe this month.