Suspended Senanayake to resume domestic career

Suspended off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake will resume his domestic career at next month’s Mercantile Cricket tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said on Thursday.
 
Senanayake was slapped with an international cricket ban due to an illegal bowling action and went through a rigorous remedial process including several rounds of biomechanical testing in Western Australia to correct his bowling action.
 
According to the initial testing in Cardiff, the 29-year-old spinner flexes his arm as much as 43 degree, more than twice the allowed 15 degrees.
 
“As per the decision taken by SLC, Sachithra will be permitted to play in the forthcoming mercantile cricket tournament,” a SLC statement said.
 
However, Senannayake, a key player in Sri Lanka’s limited over teams should apply for a reassessment at the completion of his remedial work to resume his international career.

“With regard to the corrective measures taken in consultation with the experts at the University of Western Australia, Sachitra has shown tremendous improvement and is in the process of having extensive training with the local coaching staff. SLC will coordinate with ICC on the date of his retesting in the near future,” the statement added.

Senanayake is among three bowlers, including Kane Williamson and Saeed Ajmal, who were suspended from bowling due to illegal bowling actions.

“Sachithra has worked with a team of experts in Western Australia and carried out the remedial work. SLC is in a position of a report received from UWA advising to further continue the remedial work on his bowling action,” it added.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) allows a player who has been suspended from bowling in international cricket to play domestic cricket under the sole discretion and the supervision of the local board.

Senanayake, who played a major role in Sri Lanka’s limited over success in 2014 is expected to return for the national side well in time for next year’s World Cup but his return will rest in how well and fast he corrects his action. (Champika Fernando)