Dananjaya gets one-year ban due to illegal action

Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya has been banned for a year from bowling in international cricket due to an illegal action, the International Cricket Council said on Thursday.

Dananjaya, 25, was reported for a suspect action after last month's opening Test against New Zealand in Galle, during which he picked up six wickets in Sri Lanka's victory.

His bowling action was found to be illegal after he underwent independent assessment in the southern Indian city of Chennai, the ICC said in a statement.

BREAKING: Sri Lanka all-rounder Akila Dananjaya banned from bowling in international cricket for 12 months 😲

This is his second suspension in international cricket within a period of two years from his first suspension. He will not be able to bowl till 29th August, 2020 🇱🇰❌ pic.twitter.com/pRhepy3CXQ

— Cricingif (@_cricingif) September 19, 2019

Dananjaya was also reported for a suspect bowling action last November after a Test match against England and suspended the following month after an independent committee found it to be illegal.

He was cleared to bowl again in February following remedial work on his action.

"As the latest report constitutes the player's second report within a two-year period, the first of which led to a suspension, he is automatically suspended from bowling in international cricket for a period of 12 months," the ICC said.

"Dananjaya will be entitled to approach the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action after the expiry of this one-year period."

As Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya's bowling action has been declared illegal within a span of 2 years, he stands suspended automatically; his bowling action came under scrutiny in the recent 1st test against New Zealand and was suspended in Dec'18.https://t.co/hBFG4BFi4P

— DT Next (@dt_next) September 19, 2019

The Galle match against New Zealand was Dananjaya's first Test since his reinstatement.

He has taken 33 wickets in six Tests for Sri Lanka since making his debut against Bangladesh last year, as well as 51 wickets in one-dayers and 22 in Twenty20 internationals.