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Sri Lanka's Lakmal replaces banned Chandimal as skipper

Sri Lanka have named Suranga Lakmal as skipper for the potentially series-saving third Test against the West Indies after Dinesh Chandimal lost his appeal against a one-match ban for ball tampering.

"Lakmal was appointed as the captain, in the absence of Dinesh Chandimal," Sri Lanka Cricket said in a brief statement, without commenting on Chandimal's case.


The West Indies are 1-0 up in the series with the final match, the first ever day-night Test in the Caribbean, due to begin later on Saturday in Barbados.

Chandimal, 28, was given the ban after being spotted by television cameras during the second Test applying saliva to the ball, apparently with a sweet in his mouth.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday dismissed Chandimal's appeal. A fine of 100 per cent of his match fee and two suspension points were also upheld.

Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha also face possible disciplinary action after refusing to take to the field for two hours after the incident.

The three admitted on Friday "conduct... contrary to the spirit of the game" and will face a preliminary ICC hearing on July 10.

Hathurusinghe and Gurusinha were on Friday however allowed to continue to perform their duties in the meantime, including in the third Test.

Chandimal's ban is the latest blow to Sri Lankan cricket following a string of defeats -- including a Test and one-day whitewash to India -- and corruption allegations.

Earlier this year, Australian cricket was rocked to its foundations after a player was caught applying sandpaper to the ball in a match in South Africa.

Steve Smith and David Warner were stripped of the captaincy and vice-captaincy respectively and banned from playing international cricket for 12 months.

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Malayalam actor, writer and veteran filmmaker Sreenivasan dies at 69 after health complications in Kochi

Sreenivasan death at 69 leaves Kerala asking how Malayalam cinema lost its sharpest critic

Instagram/cinemosophy

Malayalam actor, writer and veteran filmmaker Sreenivasan dies at 69 after health complications in Kochi

Highlights:

  • Malayalam actor and writer Sreenivasan dies in Kochi aged 69
  • He was an influential voice in Malayalam cinema, known for sharp humour and human stories
  • Hospital confirmed he died after breathing complications during treatment
  • His films and scripts shaped public debate in Kerala for decades
  • Tributes recognised a man who brought ordinary life to screen without fuss

Sreenivasan has died in Kochi at 69, ending one of the most influential runs in Malayalam cinema. He was being taken for dialysis on Saturday when he developed breathing trouble, and doctors at the Government Taluk Hospital in Tripunithura said he died around 8.30am. The industry has lost a writer-performer who pulled Kerala society into his stories with humour, politics and small, real lives.

Sreenivasan death at 69 leaves Kerala asking how Malayalam cinema lost its sharpest critic Instagram/cinemosophy

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