Sri Lanka's Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella have had their one-year bans on playing international cricket lifted.
The decision from Sri Lanka Cricket comes less than six months into the suspension period, and means they are once again eligible for selection in domestic cricket as well as for their national side.
The ban was handed out after the three players were found to have breached COVID-19 bio-bubble protocols during the tour of England last year.
The players were in Durham preparing for the first of three ODIs when they left the team hotel to visit the city centre despite strict COVID-19-related rules.
Batsmen Mendis and Gunathilaka, and wicketkeeper-batsman Dickwella were sent home and hit with strong sanctions.
The executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket took into account recommendations made by an independent panel of inquiry before handing down a 12-month ban from playing at international level and a six-month domestic suspension.
All three were also fined 10million Sri Lanka Rupees (around £36,000) for their indiscretion.
However, a statement released on Friday outlined that the ban had been lifted, confirming: "Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to lift the one-year suspension imposed on the [three] players from playing international cricket, across all three formats, with immediate effect.
"The latest decision was taken following a request made by the three players to Sri Lanka Cricket to lift the ban imposed on them, pursuant to the conclusion of the LPL 2021. Based on such request, Sri Lanka Cricket obtained a report from the doctor appointed by SLC to provide counselling for the three players during their period of suspension."
Sri Lanka Cricket did also state that if the trio have any further disciplinary breaches in the next two years, the remainder of the suspension will need to be served.
"The lifted suspension will remain suspended for a period of two years, during which the three players' conduct will be closely monitored by the SLC," the release added.
"Accordingly, the three players will be able to engage in playing domestic cricket with immediate effect and will also be available for national selection, subject to complying with mandatory fitness standards."
Sammy happy to finish Sri Lanka ODIs with a win; looks ahead to England home series
West Indies white ball head coach Daren Sammy was pleased his side was able to register a win in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka on Saturday but notes that his side must improve in two key areas ahead of their upcoming home series against England.
In a rain-affected game in Pallekele, the hosts batted first and made 156-3 off their 23 overs before the West Indies, chasing a revised target of 195, got to 196-2 with an over to spare, avoiding a series sweep and registering their first win in the format in 2024.
The performance today, particularly with the bat, showed Sammy what can be possible when his side commits to a plan, specifically batting with intent.
The batting was led by Evin Lewis and Sherfane Rutherford who finished not out on 102 and 50, respectively.
“Evin (Lewis), in his first game in three years, was just amazing and Rutherford has been good throughout the series. Those were two shining lights for us,” Sammy said in a post-match interview on Saturday.
With that said, Sammy also noted that his troops were not up to par with the ball or in the field and struggled in the first two games on spin friendly pitches.
“The way we fielded and the way we bowled throughout the series was not up to the mark and when we were challenged on spin friendly wickets, our batsmen did not respond,” he said.
“All in all, it’s good to finish with an emphatic win heading into the England series but a lot of learning from this trip,” he added.
The team will now turn their attention to three ODIs and five T20Is at home against England from October 31-November 17.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Sammy said.
“Something about West Indians, whenever it’s time to play England, they’re always up for the challenge. It’s a big rivalry series and it’s at home. We’ve done well at home over the past 12-18 months. Hopefully we can give a better display than what we did in Sri Lanka,” he added.
England last toured the West Indies from December 3-21 last year, losing the ODI series 1-2 and the T20I series 2-3.
Lewis ton helps West Indies beat Sri Lanka in rain-affected third ODI
West Indies ended their tour of Sri Lanka with a win as an unbeaten century from Evin Lewis helped them defeat the hosts by eight wickets via DLS method in the third and final ODI in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka had secured the series with a five-wicket win in the second ODI on Wednesday, but Lewis’ unbeaten 102 off 61 balls gave the Windies a morale-boosting victory in the final ODI.
West Indies had sent Sri Lanka to bat, but their innings was disturbed by rain in the 18th over. Upon returning to the crease after a five-hour delay, they were only given 5.4 overs to set a competitive total.
The hosts managed 75 runs after the restart with Kusal Mendis headlining their innings with an unbeaten 56 off 22 balls as Sri Lanka finished with 156-3.
Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 195 in 23 overs, Lewis hit a swashbuckling hundred in his first ODI since 2021 with support coming from Sherfane Rutherford, who smashed an unbeaten 50 off 26 deliveries.
West Indies reached the target with one over to spare, and they will gather some confidence from the win as they prepare for the ODI series against England starting on October 31.
Lewis hits 102*, Rutherford 50* as West Indies avoid series sweep with eight-wicket DLS method win over Sri Lanka in third ODI
A fifth ODI hundred from Evin Lewis and a third consecutive half-century from Sherfane Rutherford propelled the West Indies to an eight-wicket DLS method consolation win over Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The West Indies, after winning the toss and electing to field first, restricted the Sri Lankans to 156-3 off the 23 overs that were possible due to rain.
Opener Pathum Nissanka made 56 off 62 balls while wicket-keeper/batsman Kusal Mendis also made 56*, with his coming off a swift 22 balls including nine fours and a six.
Avishka Fernando contributed 34 as Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford took a wicket apiece.
Set a revised target of 195 from 23 overs, the West Indians got to their target with an over to spare to avoid a series sweep and get their first ODI victory of 2024.
Evin Lewis was the star of the show with 102* off 61 balls including nine fours and four sixes, with the last of those sixes securing both the win and his third hundred against Sri Lanka.
Sherfane Rutherford was with Lewis in the end, finishing 50* off 26 balls after scores of 74* and 80 in the first two matches.
Captain Shai Hope and Brandon King contributed 22 and 16, respectively, as Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando shared the two Sri Lanka wickets.
Full Scores:
Sri Lanka 156-3 off 23 overs (Kusal Mendis 56*, Pathum Nissanka 56, Avishka Fernando 34, Roston Chase 1-20, Sherfane Rutherford 1-27)
West Indies 196-2 off 22 overs (Evin Lewis 102*, Sherfane Rutherford 50*).
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