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| Sunday, 19 January 2003 |
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ICC slaps five-match ban on Lehmann Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia... ADELAIDE, Jan 18 - The International Cricket Conference has slapped a five match ban on Darren Lehmann for his racial outburst, where he yelled 'bloody black b.......' while returning to the pavilion after being run out in the game against Sri Lanka at the Gabba. The Sri Lanka cricket manager Ajit Jayasekera said that when they arrived in Melbourne, they were asked to provide whatever evidence they had on the incident. "We provided the evidence we had and Clive Lloyd, the match referee conducted an inquiry on Saturday morning in Adelaide at the request of the ICC who later slapped a 5-match ban on the allrounder. The ban by the ICC does not seem sufficient considering the gravity of the matter. Earlier Chief Executive of the ICC Malcolm Speed, an Australian contemplated charging Lehmann with a level four offence which carries a maximum penalty of a life ban. The Sri Lankans wanted Clive Lloyd not to punish him severely considering that he apologised verbally and in writing. Lloyd reprimanded Lehmann and the matter seemed to end there but the ICC determined to stamp out player misbehaviour wanted sterner action taken on Lehmann. The Sri Lankans returned to Melbourne to lick their wounds and ponder as to where they went wrong in a game they should have easily won against England and secured a place in the Victoria- Bitter best of three finals to be played later this month. They were cruising to victory until a comic, how-not-to-run act by skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara signed, sealed and delivered a victory to the Englishmen who up to that time were at the mercy of the hands of the Lankans. Jayasuriya was on a brilliantly played 99 requiring one more for his third century in the series, when he played a ball to mid off and scurried for a single. Both, Jayasuriya and Sangakkara ran blindly and they seemed to be embracing each other and dancing the waltz when England skipper Nasser Hussain gleefully threw down the wicket to signal the victory bells for his team and the death knell of the Lankans. No team previously in this tournament had lost three matches and entered the finals. Sri Lanka had the opportunity of re-writing the record books, but threw it away by this insensible run out. The Lankans will play their final game on January 21 against Australia in Melbourne, which game will be only of academic interest. Tomorrow (Sunday) England play Australia in Adelaide with Australia resting some of their key players in skipper Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and speed ace Brett Lee and the reason given is that they have played too much cricket. According to Chairman of Selectors, Trevor Horns, the players need a break considering that the all-important World Cup has to be defended in South Africa starting early next month. England will take the field with confidence and with Australia not at full strength should chalk another victory. They will miss paceman Stephen Harmison who left the field against Sri Lanka with a sprained ankle. Sri Lanka's last game is on Tuesday against Australia in Melbourne. |
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