Former Sri Lankan cricketer, Dulip Samaraweera, has been banned from coaching or holding any role within Cricket Australia (CA) for 20 years. His actions were called “completely unacceptable,” and during this ban, he is prohibited from working with CA, state associations, or any Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) teams.
Investigation and Findings
Samaraweera, 52, was found to have seriously violated CA’s Code of Conduct while working at Cricket Victoria. The ban was imposed after an investigation by CA’s Integrity Department, which followed complaints about his behavior.
ALSO READ: Jasprit Bumrah vs Mitchell Starc: Breaking Down Their ODI, T20I, and Test Performances
Career History
Samaraweera played seven Test matches and five One Day Internationals (ODIs) for Sri Lanka between 1993 and 1995. He spent a long time as an assistant coach for Victoria women’s and Melbourne Stars’ WBBL teams. Earlier this year, he was promoted to head coach of the Victoria women’s team, but resigned just two weeks later due to issues related to hiring staff, which were not related to the misconduct case.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Unknown Facts About Virat Kohli
Serious Misconduct
The investigation revealed that Samaraweera engaged in inappropriate behavior that violated section 2.23 of CA’s Code of Conduct. The misconduct reportedly involved a player.
Cricket Victoria’s Response
Cricket Victoria’s CEO, Nick Cummins, expressed full support for the decision. In a statement, he said:
“We fully support the decision to ban Dulip Samaraweera for 20 years. His actions were completely unacceptable and went against everything we stand for at Cricket Victoria.”
He also praised the bravery of the victim:
“The victim has shown incredible strength in coming forward, and we will continue to support her both on and off the field.“
CA’s Commitment to Safety
Cricket Australia reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a safe environment for all players and employees, emphasizing that the well-being of anyone subjected to mistreatment is their top priority.
READ MORE:
- Top 10 Football Legends Who Shined in New Roles
- IPL 2025 Auction: Set for November, Could Be Held Overseas Again
