Published: Jan 17, 2016, 11:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 18, 2016, 12:09 PM (IST)
Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)’s new governing body is all set to sack a fast bowling coach associated with the national cricket academy for allegedly playing a role into a possible bookie approach to national team players Kusal Janith Perera and Rangana Herath. “I have asked for a report. The bowling coach concerned and the net bowler will have to be suspended,” SLC’s new chief Thilanga Sumathipala said at Pallekele. Opener Perera alerted the officials about an approach made by bookies to him and Herath to under perform during a Test match against the West Indies in Galle in October. READ: Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath were asked to underperform during Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2015, 1st Test: Reports
Following the complaint the two players were summoned to the police’s Financial Crimes Division (FCID) last week. This week the captain Angelo Mathews and the team manager Jerry Woutersz are also to be interviewed by the FCID. The FCID investigation began following a complaint lodged by the Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera. Jayasekera told reporters the bookies had approached the two players through a bowling coach (the academy coach) and a net bowler.
Sumathipala said none of the players, who have been quizzed and are to be questioned are suspects for match fixing. Earlier, Sri Lankan players Kusal Perera and Rangana Herath have been questioned by the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) over an alleged match-fixing scandal, a police source said. Opening batsman Perera had alerted the officials about an approach made by bookies to him and left-arm spinner Herath to underperform during the Test against West Indies at Galle in October. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sources also revealed that captain Angelo Mathews and team manager Jerry Woutersz are due to be interviewed by the FCID.
