CRICKET KEEPER, PERERA TESTED POSITIVE FOR A BANNED SUBSTANCE

The Sri Lankan team, which had been jolted by Dhammika Prasad’s injury right before the start of the first test against New Zealand, received a second blow.

Cricket-keeper batsman Kushal Perera was tested positive for a banned substance, for which he has been issued with a Notice of Charge per the International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines along with being charged under the ICC’s anti-doping regulations. In addition, he’s also been pulled out of the Lankan squad for all series against New Zealand.

The test was randomly conducted during the recent series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in which Perera emerged as the lead-scorer in the ODIs.

The Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) officials have however promised to do everything possible in order to comply with the ICC guidelines and to ascertain the comeback of the keeper-batsman. But both the Lankan cricket officials and the ICC haven't divulged the name of the banned substance found in Perera's blood sample. 

Per protocol, Perera now has a fortnight at his disposal to furnish a written request for a hearing before an independent three-member anti-doping judicature. If Perera fails to submit a written request, according to the ICC stipulations, it will be assumed that Perera is guilty of having committed an act contravening the anti-doping regulations and will be penalised in an according manner specified in the Notice of Charge.

Perera also has the right to ask for a re-testing of the B sample provided along with the A sample during the random doping test.

The Lankan officials have substituted Kaushal Silva in Perera’s place, though it remains to be seen who will take over the wicket-keeping mantle in Perera’s absence.