Cricket Australia has imposed a new 10-year ban on former Sri Lankan Test player Dulip Samaraweera. This decision comes after allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a second player while he was coaching. Samaraweera is already serving a 20-year suspension for similar misconduct involving a female player.
Background on the Allegations
Samaraweera’s latest ban stems from his time as a private coach while employed by Cricket Victoria. He has denied the allegations but chose not to participate in the investigation. The Cricket Australia Conduct Commission found him in breach of the sport’s code of conduct, resulting in the additional ban.
This new suspension will run concurrently with his existing 20-year ban, meaning he cannot return to any coaching role until 2044, when he will be 72 years old. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, neither complainant has opted to pursue criminal charges.
Samaraweera’s Coaching Career
The Colombo-born cricketer had a notable career in cricket, playing seven Tests for Sri Lanka between 1993 and 1995. He joined Cricket Victoria as a batting coach in 2008 and had been involved in their women’s program for nearly 16 years. He served as an assistant coach for the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and briefly held the position of interim head coach before resigning in May.
Nick Cummins, Cricket Victoria’s chief executive, condemned Samaraweera’s conduct as “utterly reprehensible.” He emphasized the importance of supporting victims and ensuring a safe environment within cricket organizations.
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Support for Victims
Cummins praised the victim’s courage in coming forward. He stated, “The victim in this case has demonstrated incredible strength of character and courage in speaking up.” He assured that Cricket Victoria would continue to support her in achieving her goals on and off the field.
The Australian Cricketers’ Association also backed the decision, calling the findings “extremely serious.” Chief executive Todd Greenberg noted that such behavior may shock many within the cricket community.
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