Now, Sangakkara faces fine

The incident occurred in the 27th over of Sri Lanka’s aborted one-dayer against New Zealand when Sangakkara, seemingly without a touch of malice, bumped into the off-spinner while turning blind for a second run.

Umpires Asad Rauf and Tyron Wijewardena reported the matter to match referee Alan Hurst, who initiated a hearing under breach of the clause 2.2.4 of the Code of Conduct which deals with ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play during an international match’ adding that ‘without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately walk or run into or shoulder another player’.

If found guilty, Sangakkara faces a fine of between 50 and 100 percent of his match fee and/or a ban for two one-day internationals.

The incident ensued when the Sri Lankan skipper glanced off-spinner McCullum fine. Unsure if the ball had the legs to go to the boundary, Sangakkara came haring down the pitch. His eyes on the ball as he touched down to turn for the second run, Sangakkara grounded his bat diagonally into the crease, the action forcing him to nudge McCullum unintentionally, it appeared.

McCullum immediately spread his hands wide in surprise, mouthing ‘What’s that?’ as he stared down Sangakkara, and walked to umpire Wijewardena to register his protest. Skipper Ross Taylor joined in as Rauf too came across from square-leg, the Kiwis clearly not happy at the turn of events.

Sangakkara tried to explain that he wasn’t looking at the bowler but at the ball, like McCullum, when the clash of bodies occurred. New Zealand still didn’t appear convinced, but the umpires made sure things didn’t get out of hand, quickly restoring order before reporting the matter to Australian Hurst at the first possible instance.

Former skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Sangakkara’s batting partner at that time, was convinced his friend hadn’t bumped into McCullum intentionally. “These things happen, it is part of the game. Both the guys had a good chat in the dressing room, it’s done and dusted. There are a lot of bumps on the way when you turn around. I saw the replay afterwards. Sanga was blind when he turned around. I think you just need to concentrate on cricket rather than all the other things.”