Sri Lanka wicketkeeper guilty of breaching Cricket Governing Body's Code of Conduct in Women's 20-20 World Cup

Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Team (Source: Twitter)

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Anushka Sanjeewani was fined 15% of her match fee for violating Level 1 of the Cricket Governing Body's Code of Conduct during Sri Lanka's Group 1 match against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Article 2.5 of the Cricket Governing Body's Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel prohibits using any phrase, action, or gesture towards a batter after its dismissal that could potentially elicit a violent response from the batter. Sanjeewani was judged to have violated this provision.

Sanjeewani's disciplinary record has also been updated with one demerit point. This was his first violation in 24 months. When Sobhana Mostary was removed in the tenth over of Bangladesh's innings, Sanjeewani sprinted furiously in her direction while clenching her fists in celebration.

There was no need for a bench trial because Sanjeewani recognized the violation and accepted the punishment suggested by GS Lakshmi of the Emirates Cricket Governing Body's International Panel of Match Referees.

Harshitha Madavi helped Sri Lanka Women to victory 

The accusation was made by the on-field umpires Anna Harris and Sue Redfern, the third umpire Jacqueline Williams, and the fourth umpire Kim Cotton. Level 1 violations are subject to one or two demerit points, an official reprimand, and a maximum fine of 50% of the player's match fee.

Sri Lanka, captained by Chamari Athapaththu, shown class in the group stage by defeating Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the fifth match of the ongoing Women's 20-20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. With this triumph, Sri Lanka won the second match of the group stage. They are currently in first place in Group A and appear to be a strong team going into the World Cup knockout rounds.

Harshitha spent some time finding her rhythm. She started to find the boundary when the first half of the innings was over. She hit two sixes and a four in the span of four deliveries in the 16th over, which was her most memorable moment.

She never left the area where Nilakshi de Silva kept her company after that blast, which kicked her innings into high gear. Together, the two scored 124 runs, with Nilakshi scoring 41 runs and Harshitha scoring an unbeaten 69 runs off 50 balls.