Cricket Australia imposes additional 10-year ban on Dulip Samaraweera over inappropriate behaviour

Cricket Australia (CA) has handed former Sri Lankan cricketer Dulip Samaraweera a 10-year ban following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a second player during his coaching tenure. The new ban will run concurrently with a 20-year suspension imposed on him last month for a separate breach of CA’s Code of Conduct.

The 52-year-old, who played seven Tests and five ODIs for Sri Lanka in the 1990s, had been appointed head coach of the Victoria state women's team in May. However, his role was cut short after allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward a female player arose.

Samaraweera was found to have committed a serious breach of section 2.23 of CA's Code of Conduct during private coaching sessions outside his official duties with Cricket Victoria (CV). Although Samaraweera denied the allegations, he opted not to participate in the investigation or the subsequent Conduct Commission hearing.

The new ban prohibits him from holding any position within CA or any State or Territory Association, including positions with W/BBL teams, for 10 years. CA reiterated its commitment to providing a safe environment for all players and employees, encouraging the reporting of inappropriate behaviour through the CA Integrity Unit or the Core Integrity Hotline.