Angelo Mathews on Danushka Gunathilaka - 'We will not tolerate any indiscipline'

Sri Lanka's ODI captain Angelo Mathews has delivered a stern rebuke to Danushka Gunathilaka, who is the latest player to be sanctioned for misconduct during a series. Gunathilaka was officially reprimanded for breaching curfew on the second night of the recent Colombo Test against South Africa.

What has especially irked Sri Lanka Cricket and the team is that although Gunathilaka himself is free from suspicion of any criminal wrongdoing, his curfew offence is linked to an alleged incident of sexual assault within the team hotel. As part of that criminal investigation, police have arrested a man believed to be known to Gunathilaka.

"It is disappointing to lose out on a player, but we will not tolerate any indiscipline," Mathews said when asked about Gunathilaka's absence for the ODI series against South Africa. Gunathilaka had been the incumbent ODI opener, but is now suspended for six limited-overs matches.

"If they take that risk they have to deal with the consequences, they can be the best player, but we will not tolerate that kind indiscipline. When it comes to team rules they have to abide by it. We do care what they do outside the ground, because it affects the whole team and the image. Players have to be very careful to take good care of themselves on and off the field not try and damage the team's image."

Gunathilaka is the second player to be punished for off-field behaviour. Legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay was also fined 20% of his annual contract fee and put on probation for a year, over a night out in St. Lucia last mont. Vandersay's offence did not occur during a Test match, however.