Lakmal to lead Sri Lanka in pink-ball Test
Barbados, June 23: Sri Lanka Cricket on Saturday named paceman Suranga Lakmal as skipper for the third and final Test against the West Indies that gets underway here late Saturday -- with a pink ball and under lights.
The decision has come in the aftermath of regular captain Dinesh Chandimal's ban being upheld by the International Cricket Council (ICC) appointed Judicial Commissioner, Michael Beloff, who rejected his appeal against the ball-tampering sanction on Friday.
"Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Suranga Lakmal to captain the third Test against West Indies, which will start Saturday. Lakmal was appointed as the captain, in the absence of Dinesh Chandimal," a statement from the board read.
Veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was also among the choices to lead the team but SLC revealed on Friday that he split the webbing between his ring and small fingers of his non-bowling hand during training on Thursday and was a doubtful starter for the day-night Test.
Meanwhile, Chandimal faces a lengthy ban after having admitted to the more serious Level three offence which relates to 'conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.'
If found guilty, Chandimal could miss both Test matches against South Africa at home next month.
The Sri Lankans trail the three-match rubber 0-1 after losing the opener at Port of Spain and drawing the second Test at St. Lucia.
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Rahul summoned by Bareilly court for remarks against Economic Survey
Bareilly (UP) (PTI): A court here has summoned Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on January 7 for his remarks related to the Economic Survey during the Lok Sabha polls.
District and Sessions Judge Sudhir Kumar on Saturday issued notice to Gandhi.
The summons are related to a plea filed by Pankaj Pathak, Mandal president of the All India Hindu Mahasangh outfit.
Pathak had initially approached the MLA-MP Court/CJM Court in August, requesting the registration of a case against Gandhi.
However, the court had rejected the application on August 27. Pathak then filed a revision petition in the sessions court, which led to the current summons.
Advocate Virendra Pal Gupta, representing Pathak, submitted that during the Lok Sabha elections Gandhi had allegedly said that "despite the percentage of weaker sections being high, the percentage of property they own is quite low. If this remains the case then those with a higher population can demand more property".
Gupta alleged that Gandhi tried to provoke the weaker sections with these statements which were aimed at "creating class hatred for political gain".
He further alleged that Gandhi deliberately attempted to sow hostility and animosity among economically weaker sections in an effort to further the Congress' interests.
