Ex-Sri Lankan cricketer Dulip Samaraweera handed massive ban

A former Test cricketer has been handed a monster ban for “serious inappropriate behaviour” towards a female Victorian player.

A former Sri Lankan Test cricketer has been handed a monster 20-year ban by Cricket Australia over serious inappropriate behaviour towards a female player over an extended period.

Dulip Samaraweera, 52, who played seven Test and five ODI’s for Sri Lanka in the early 1990s, faced allegations of inappropriate conduct while he was employed by Cricket Victoria.

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A former assistant coach with Victoria and the Melbourne Stars, Samaraweera had been appointed head coach of the state’s women’s team earlier this year.

Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins released a statement supporting the ban from the governing body, labelling the Sri Lankan’s behaviour “utterly reprehensible and a betrayal of everything we stand for at Cricket Victoria”.

“The victim in this case has demonstrated incredible strength of character and courage in speaking up,” he said.

Dulip Samaraweera (left) is a former assistant coach of the Melbourne Stars women’s team. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

“She will continue to receive our ongoing support to allow her to achieve her goals on and off the field.

“From an organisation perspective, the safety and wellbeing of everyone at Cricket Victoria is paramount.

“We will not tolerate any behaviour which compromises that position, or our people, and will always support our culture of speaking up.”

After being appointed to the Victoria head coaching role, Samaraweera resigned suddenly after he wanted to hire his brother — ex-Sri Lankan star Thilan Samaraweera — as the side’s batting coach, breaching Cricket Victoria’s conflict of interest policy.

Cricket Australia also released a statement on Thursday afternoon confirming the ban, which effectively ends Samaraweera’s coaching career in Australia.

Former Victoria coach Dulip Samaraweera (right) has been handed a huge ban.

“The Cricket Australia Conduct Commission has banned Dulip Samaraweera from holding any position within CA or a State or Territory Association (including any W/BBL Team) for 20 years after he was found to have committed a serious breach of the Code of Conduct,” it read.

“The allegations of inappropriate conduct took place while Samaraweera was employed by Cricket Victoria (CV).

“CA and CV are committed to providing a safe environment for all players and employees and the welfare of those subjected to mistreatment is paramount.

We strongly encourage the reporting of inappropriate behaviours, which can be made directly to the CA Integrity Unit or via the Core Integrity Hotline.”

Originally published as Ex-Sri Lankan cricketer Dulip Samaraweera handed massive ban