Sri Lanka's Lakmal fined half match-fee for misconduct

Sri Lanka paceman Suranga Lakmal has been fined half of his match fee for throwing the ball dangerously at Zimbabwe opener Chamu Chibhabha during their abandoned one-day international in Bulawayo on Monday.

Lightning and heavy rain caused the game, the fourth in a triangular series also featuring West Indies, to be abandoned after 13 overs.

The incident occurred during the second over of the match when Chibhabha stayed in his crease after playing a shot and was not attempting a run.

"The throw missed the batsman and went to the wicketkeeper, but such a reaction from the bowler was deemed as contrary to the spirit of the game," the International Cricket Council said in a statement on Tuesday.

Two demerit points have also been added to Lakmal's disciplinary record, the governing body added.

If a player accumulates four to seven demerit points within a two-year period they are converted into two suspension points, which brings a ban for one test or two ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first.

No hearing was required after Lakmal admitted his offence and accepted the penalties.

Image: Suranga Lakmal

Photograph: Anthony Phelps/Reuters