Sri Lanka coach denies consumption of banned substance by Kusal Perera
Sri Lanka interim coach Jerome Jayaratne has denied any use of a banned substance by the wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera, who was suspended by the ICC for the same, days before their first Test against New Zealand, reports ESPNCricinfo.
Perera was suspended on Monday evening, after a random test conducted by the ICC resulted in Perera testing positive for a banned substance. It was reported that the substance was taken by him during Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka and June-July this year.
Jayaratne said that the batsman had taken some medication, but neither the coach nor the player believed that it was one of those that have been banned by the ICC. "Kusal feels he has not taken any form of drugs or any form of medication to that effect - so it's left to be seen how it will be investigated," said Jayaratne.
Baffled at the moment: Jayaratne
The ICC routinely educates players and support personnel on the use of banned drugs, which contains some of the common medicines as well, in addition to performance-enhancing drugs. The players are advised to check the legality of drugs before consuming them, and consult their team’s physiotherapists.
"ICC runs the tests randomly and the players have been educated. The physiotherapists in Sri Lanka have been educated. The list of banned drugs keeps changing and things get added on.”
“The players have been advised to keep the physiotherapists informed before they take any kind of medication - even if it's just a Panadol. We'll wait and see what happens. We're all baffled at the moment," said a flummoxed Jayaratne.
Kusal’s incident has big impact on team: Jayaratne
Perera’s exclusion comes as a massive blow to the Sri Lankan squad, who have already lost their fast-bowling spearhead, Dhammika Prasad due to a back injury. Top-order batsman Kaushal Silva has been called in as a replacement for Perera, whereas uncapped seamer Vishwa Fernando would be replacing Prasad.
"I think it will be quite a big impact because he was our main wicketkeeper and is a dashing No.7 batsman who can turn games around. The news came through just a day and a half before the Test. We're trying to regroup. Dinesh Chandimal will take the gloves. We have no choice but to move on," exclaimed Jayaratne.
After the retirements of Mahela Jayawardene last year, and Kumar Sangakkara in August, this young Sri Lankan side is still in its transition stage. Hence, the departure of two of its main players has dented a significant hole in their reserves.
Many of the Sri Lankan players haven’t played many Tests, and add to that the swinging conditions of New Zealand, it would truly be a test of their mettle.
The first Tests between Sri Lanka and New Zealand starts on December 10 at Dunedin.