Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando and India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal have been fined 25 per cent of their match fees and handed one demerit point each following an on-field incident during the second ICC World Test Championship fixture at the SSC Grounds in Colombo.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) found both players guilty of breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers inappropriate physical contact with a player, match official or any other person during an international match.
The incident occurred during the 17th over of India’s innings on the opening day of the second Test, shortly after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal.
Jaiswal walked towards Fernando and the two exchanged words before Fernando moved his head towards the India batter. Jaiswal then leaned forward, resulting in the players’ heads making contact.
Both players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, meaning no formal hearing was required, the ICC said in a statement.
The ICC noted that neither player had committed a similar offence during the previous 24 months.
The second Test in Colombo remains closely contested, with rain interrupting play during the second session on day two.
India reached 475 for eight, with wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel unbeaten on 95, five runs short of his second Test century.
India won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs, with the second Test scheduled to run from August 23 to 27 in Colombo.
