ICC bans Sri Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya for one year over illegal action

Sri Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya has been banned from bowling for 12 months following an independent assessment of his action by the International Cricket Council on Thursday.

Dananjaya went through an independent assessment for his bowling action in Chennai on August 29.

“His bowling action was found to be illegal after he underwent independent assessment in the southern Indian city of Chennai,” the ICC said in a statement.

ICC banned Dananjaya for the same reason back in December 2018. However, the suspension was terminated in February 2019 after Dananjaya made some changes to his bowling action and went through reassessment.

“As the latest report constitutes the player’s second report within a two-year period, the first of which led to a suspension, he is automatically suspended from bowling in international cricket for a period of 12 months,” the ICC said. “Dananjaya will be entitled to approach the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action after the expiry of this one-year period.”

Dananjaya, 25, was reported for a suspect action after last month’s opening Test against New Zealand in Galle, during which he picked up six wickets in Sri Lanka’s victory.

Sri Lankan spinner has taken 33 wickets in six Tests for Sri Lanka since making his debut against Bangladesh last year, as well as 51 wickets in ODIs and 22 in T20 Internationals.