Chandimal appeals against ball-tampering suspension

Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal has appealed against the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to impose a one-Test ban on him after finding him guilty of ball-tampering.

The decision, taken by ICC match referee Javagal Srinath, barred the batsman from appearing in the third Test of the ongoing series between Sri Lanka and West Indies, which is slated to be held from June 23 at the Kensington Oval Barbados.

The 28-year-old was charged for altering the condition of the ball during the second test of the series at St. Lucia against West Indies. He allegedly violated the ICC rules by applying an artificial substance to the ball.

Chandimal had pleaded not guilty of the ball-tampering charge but the defence he gave during the hearing was termed 'unconvincing" by the match referee.

"During the hearing, Dinesh admitted to putting something in his mouth but couldn't remember what it was, which I found unconvincing as a defence and the fact remains it was an artificial substance," the report quoted Srinath, as saying in the statement.

Sri Lanka are currently trailing the three-match Test series 0-1 after West Indies clinched the opening match by 226 runs at the Queen's Park Oval.