The International Cricket Council has initiated action against Sri Lanka’s opening batsman Upul Tharanga after he failed a dope test, the island’s cricket governing body said Wednesday. Sri Lanka Cricket said that Tharanga would not be available for selection pending the conclusion of the ICC hearing. He failed the test after Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by five wickets in the World Cup semi-final in March, becoming the first Sri Lankan international player to fail a doping test. He scored 30 runs in the match. “The ICC has informed Sri Lanka Cricket that Upul Tharanga has been tested positive for the presence of a prohibited substance during a testing of a urine sample… and a disciplinary charge has been initiated,” SLC said.
Sri Lanka’s sports ministry has already started its own investigation. Under ICC rules, Tharanga can seek a test of his “B” sample. The embarrassment over the failure of the dope test comes amid allegations by a former skipper that Sri Lankan players have been responsible for match-fixing since 1992. Sri Lanka says the allegations of match-fixing are still under investigation. A press report last month said Tharanga had already retained a lawyer to defend himself at an upcoming ICC inquiry. It said Tharanga had claimed that he was given a steroid by a faith healer in Colombo who also treated other international players. There was no comment from Tharanga, who is not part of the Sri Lankan side currently on tour in England.
