SLC selectors urge board “to take care” of Akila Dananjaya

By BIPIN DANI

Sri Lanka’s national selection panel headed by Ashantha de Mel has urged the board “to take care of” Akila Dananjaya. The 26-year-old all rounder has been suspended for his bowling action.   

“Akila is an important member of our team. His ban expires in August this year and we want him to be back in radar and therefore have requested the board to ensure that he returns to international cricket with smooth action”, the chief selector Ashantha de Mel, speaking exclusively, said.   

 In fact, the player was assessed after he was reported for a suspect action for the second time in ten months following the Galle Test against New Zealand last year. He subsequently underwent an independent assessment on August 29 in Chennai, which found his bowling action to be illegal.   

Akila’s suspension is a result of the ICC’s automatic penalty for bowlers who have twice failed an assessment inside a two-year period. The off spinner can, however, bowl in domestic cricket conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket, with the consent of the board.  

Akila has been playing domestic matches. There has been no spin bowling specialist hired for him. However, Jerome Jayaratne, the man in charge of the HPC will ensure all possible means to rectify his bowling action.   

In the meantime, Piyal Wijetunga, the former national spin bowling coach and Rangana Herath, the world record holding left-arm spinner will train the youngsters at the Moratuwa International Cricket Stadium on February 2.