Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kusal Perera likely to face four-year suspension

Is there any way back for Kusal Perera?

After testing positive for a banned substance, Kusal Perera faces the prospect of a four-year ban from cricket. Perera was initially ruled out of the ongoing New Zealand tour after his B sample tested positive for a banned substance.

The wicketkeeper’s urine sample was tested in Qatar after ICC initially found that it contained a banned substance. He has however received support from the Sri Lankan Sports Minister, who said that they will appeal the ban

“The ICC has informed that he faces a four-year ban,” Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said. “We are hoping to appeal.”

Jayasekera had previously hinted that this might all just be a conspiracy to keep him out of the World Cup. After the news that he tested positive for a banned substance, the Sports Minister came out in support of Perera.

"We are doing all we can to defend him," the minister said. "We are wondering if this allegation is a conspiracy to keep him out of next year's T20 World Cup.”

Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, he isn’t the first player to fail a dope test. During the 2011 World Cup, Upul Tharanga became the first Sri Lankan to fail a dope test, following which he was suspended for three months. Although Tharanga insisted that it was ”Herbal remedy”, which he took for his shoulder, as the reason why he failed the test, the ban still stood.

Prior to the New Zealand tour, reports suggested that Kusal Perera spoke with Sri Lanka’s President, Maithripala Sirisena. And he has since received strong backing from both the staff and the sports authority.

Interim coach Jayaratne has been vocal in his support of the southpaw. He said: “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.”

Sri Lanka, who lost the Test series against New Zealand 2-0, will begin their five-match ODI series on Boxing Day at Christchurch.