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'Terrible': Cricket star cops 12-month ban over illegal act

Sri Lankan off-spinner Akila Dananjaya has been banned from bowling in international matches for a year after his action was found to be illegal.

The 25-year-old was subjected to an independent assessment of his bowling action after umpires questioned his style in the first Test against New Zealand at Galle in August.

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Dananjaya had also been suspended in December after being reported by umpires during the first Test against England in November 2018.

Akila Dananjaya, pictured here bowling against New Zealand.
Akila Dananjaya in action against New Zealand. Image: Sri Lanka Cricket

However he was permitted to resume bowling in February following "remedial work on his action."

However, he was found to have an illegal action following another assessment after being reported again last month, the ICC said.

"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 in a statement.

Akila Dananjaya, pictured here in action against New Zealand.
Akila Dananjaya starred for Sri Lanka against New Zealand. Image: Getty

Dananjaya has starred with the ball

It said he will be entitled to approach the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action after the expiry of this one-year period.

The Galle match against New Zealand was Dananjaya's first Test since his reinstatement.

He has taken 33 wickets in six Tests for Sri Lanka since making his debut against Bangladesh last year, as well as 51 wickets in one-dayers and 22 in Twenty20 internationals.

with agencies