India fast bowler Ishant Sharma and Sri Lankan players Dhammika Prasad, Dinesh Chandimaland Lahiru Thirimanne have been charged by the ICC for their roles in several angry exchanges during the fourth day of the SSC Test.

“Details to be announced after the conclusion of the Test,” the ICC said on Twitter.

Ishant and Dhammika faced off during the final session of the fourth day when Ishant, after being repeatedly bounced by Prasad, smacked his helmet while running down the pitch, as if to dare the bowler to aim at his head.

Chandimal walked over from slip, his shoulder brushing Ishant’s, and exchanged words with the batsman.

Once India’s innings ended and as Ishant ran back to the dressing room to get ready to bowl, Prasad followed him with a full sprint all the way back to the dressing room. These two incidents were the flashpoints of an ill-tempered passage of play that saw several stares and words being exchanged between Ishant and Sri Lanka’s batsmen.

There was further tension when Ishant gave Upul Tharanga an angry send-off and then went on to celebrate Chandimal’s decision by striking the side of his head.

Ishant was docked 65% at the end of the second Test for send-offs to Thirimanne and Chandimal. Thirimanne, too, was fined 30% of his match fee for showing dissent at the umpire’s decision. (ESPN)