Cricket

Cricket Australia (CA) has extended its ban on former Sri Lankan Test player Dulip Samaraweera for an additional 10 years, bringing his total suspension to 30 years. The latest ban stems from allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a second player while Samaraweera was coaching.Samaraweera was initially suspended for 20 years in September 2022 after an investigation found him guilty of inappropriate behavior towards a female player. The second allegation relates to his time as a private coach while employed by Cricket Victoria.Samaraweera has denied the latest claim but declined to participate in the investigation. As a result, he has been banned for 10 years for breaching the sport's code of conduct. The ban will run concurrently with his initial 20-year suspension, meaning he will not be eligible to return to any coaching role in Australia until 2044.Neither complainant has pursued criminal charges at this time. Samaraweera had been involved in Cricket Victoria's women's program for nearly 16 years, including as an assistant coach for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL. He resigned from his position in May 2023.Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins condemned Samaraweera's conduct as "utterly reprehensible" and "a betrayal of everything we stand for." He praised the victim for her courage in speaking out and pledged ongoing support.Samaraweera, who played seven Tests for Sri Lanka, has been an assistant coach with the Stars since the inaugural WBBL season in 2015. He also served as Victoria's interim head coach for most of the 2022-23 summer.Samaraweera was set to take over the head coach role full-time but resigned in May 2023 due to a conflict of interest policy that prevented him from hiring his brother, Thilan, to the coaching staff.

Cricket Victoria and the St Kilda Cricket Club have paid tribute to the legendary Shane Warne by renaming a heritage-listed grandstand at the Junction Oval in Melbourne after him. The stand, which has stood since 1925, was previously named after Australian rules footballer Kevin Murray, who has supported the change. Murray's name now adorns a stand at Brunswick Street Oval in Fitzroy.The process of renaming the stand began well before Warne's untimely passing in March 2022. The MCG had already named its southern stand after Warne at his state funeral, but the process to rename the heritage-listed stand on the western side of Junction Oval took longer.Warne's father, Keith, and his daughters, Summer and Brooke, attended the unveiling ceremony, which took place before Victoria took on New South Wales in a One-Day Cup match at the Junction Oval. Australia Test captain Pat Cummins and a host of Australian players, including Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, also attended the ceremony.Cricket Victoria has also unveiled a Shane Warne exhibition in the foyer of their administration and high performance center at the northern end of the ground. The exhibition features memorabilia from Warne's illustrious career, much of it supplied by his father, and is free to visit.Keith Warne expressed his gratitude at the unveiling, saying, "Today marks a very special and proud day for the Warne family. To have a stand named after Shane here at the Junction Oval is a wonderful tribute to him. He would be honored to be chosen for such an accolade."Warne made his first-class debut for Victoria against Western Australia at the Junction Oval in February 1991. He enjoyed some of his most memorable early cricketing years playing for his beloved St Kilda, especially when matches were played at the Junction Oval."As proud as Shane would be to know a stand at the Junction Oval bears his name, he would also be thrilled to know that he will now be forever linked with St Kilda Cricket Club and the Junction Oval," Keith Warne added. "On behalf of our family, I'd like to thank Cricket Victoria and St Kilda Cricket Club for their support in honoring Shane with such a wonderful tribute, further enhancing his incredible legacy."

Victoria's women's cricket team has been dealt a significant blow with the resignation of head coach Dulip Samaraweera just two weeks after his appointment. The Sri Lankan legend's departure stems from a disagreement with Cricket Victoria (CV) over a staff appointment he sought to make.Samaraweera, who represented Sri Lanka in seven Tests and five ODIs, was appointed on a two-year deal in May after serving as interim head coach since November 2022. However, his tenure was cut short due to CV's refusal to approve a specific coaching appointment he desired."During the recruitment process, Dulip had expressed a desire to make a specific coaching appointment in his support team," explained CV CEO Nick Cummins. "That appointment was unable to be facilitated due to internal policies we have in place. Following further conversations, Dulip decided he would prefer not to remain in the role."Samaraweera's resignation leaves Victoria without a permanent head coach once again. Andrew Christie, Melbourne Renegades' WBBL assistant coach, will take over the reins on an interim basis. Christie, who joined CV in 2021, has experience leading the female emerging player program.The departure of Samaraweera is a setback for Victoria, who are looking to build on their recent success in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL). The team won the WNCL title in 2021-22 and finished runners-up in 2022-23.Samaraweera's resignation highlights the importance of alignment between coaches and administrators in professional sports. When there is a disconnect between the two parties, it can lead to instability and disruption within the team.

Will Pucovski's cricketing future remains uncertain as Cricket Victoria (CV) has received a special exemption from Cricket Australia (CA) to delay his state contract decision. The 25-year-old has been suffering from extended symptoms following a concussion in March, prompting a medical panel assessment.Pucovski's latest concussion has raised concerns about his long-term health, given his history of head injuries. The assessment panel, comprising CV, CA, and independent experts, will evaluate his situation and determine his future playing prospects.Victoria has offered Pucovski a contract for 2024-25, but it is contingent on the panel's medical advice. If he is deemed unfit to continue playing, he will receive significant injury compensation and support services from CV and CA.Pucovski's symptoms have reportedly eased in recent weeks, but the panel's assessment was delayed due to their persistence. The decision on his future will be made once the panel has convened and provided its recommendations.Victoria's general manager of cricket performance, Graham Manou, emphasized the importance of Pucovski's health and well-being. "We'll take the advice from that panel on the appropriate way forward this season," he said.Pucovski has expressed optimism about his recovery and a potential return to form. However, he has also acknowledged the challenges he has faced with mental health issues linked to his concussions.Victoria's contract list for 2024-25 includes several new faces, including Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, and Dylan Brasher. The departures of Nic Maddinson, Travis Dean, and Wil Parker have created opportunities for these emerging players.