Akila cleared for international return

Spinner Akila Dananjaya was cleared to bowl in international cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday. 

The ICC had banned Dananjaya from bowling for a year, after being found to have an illegal bolwing action twice in the space of two years. 

However, following remedial work and re-assessment, Dananjaya’s action was found to be legal. 

“An Expert Panel studied video footage of Dananjaya’s bowling action provided by Sri Lanka Cricket, as attendance and assessment at an ICC accredited centre was not possible due to various restrictions resulting from Covid-19,” an ICC statement read. 

“The panel concluded that the amount of elbow extension in his bowling action was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations.”

Dananjaya was first banned from bowling in December 2018 when he was reported for a suspect action during the first Test against England in Galle. 

He was then cleared in February 2019, after being assessed in Chennai, but was reported against later that year during the first Test against New Zealand, also in Galle. 

He was then banned for a year in September 2019 after his action was deemed illegal for a second time within a two-year period.