Ball-tampering row: Dinesh Chandimal appeals against ICC's suspension

Sri Lanka cricket team skipper Dinesh Chandimal on Thursday appealed against the ICC's decision to suspend him from the third Test of the ongoing tour of the West Indies due to ball-tampering.

ICC charged Chandimal for ball tampering during the second Test against West Indies after video evidence showed that he applied saliva to the ball just after putting sweet in his mouth.

The 28-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge, and attended the official hearing where match referee Javagal Srinath handed him the maximum punishment - a two match suspension points and a fine of 100 per cent match fee.

"Dinesh Chandimal has appealed against the match referee's findings that saw him suspended for one Test after being found guilty of changing the condition of the ball," the ICC said on its twitter handle.

During a hearing held at the end of the Test, Chandimal admitted putting something in his mouth but failed to recall what it was. The hearing was held in the presense of the Sri Lanka team management as well as the match officials.

"After reviewing the footage of the incident, it is clear that Dinesh applied an artificial substance to the ball, namely saliva containing the residue of something he had in his mouth, an action which is prohibited under the ICC Code of Conduct," Javagal Srinath commented on his decision.

"The ICC fully supports the match officials in their decision and will continue to do so in any other such instances," said ICC Chief Executive David Richardson, backing the Playing Control Team.