Dickwella fined and reprimanded on debut

The incident occurred when South African batsman A.B. de Villiers gloved a ball that Dickwella collected on the bounce and immediately claimed it to be a catch.

Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella plays a shot as South Africa's wicket keeper Quinton de Kock, centre, and AB de Villiers watch. Dickwella has been fined and reprimanded for claiming an unfair catch in the ongoing second cricket Test against South Africa, International Cricket Council authorities said on Sunday.

Sri Lanka’s debutant wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella has been fined and reprimanded for claiming an unfair catch in the ongoing second cricket Test against South Africa, International Cricket Council authorities said on Sunday.

The ICC said in a statement that the 21-year-old wicketkeeper was fined 10 percent of his match fee and given an official reprimand after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

The incident occurred during the third day’s play Saturday when South African batsman A.B. de Villiers gloved a ball that Dickwella collected on the bounce and immediately claimed it to be a catch.

The batsman was ruled not out after television replays.

“While claiming an unfair catch is a serious offense, we noted that this is Niroshan’s first Test and in excitement he claimed the catch,” the statement quoted match referee Jeff Crowe as saying.

“We are sure that in future when a catch of this nature is in doubt he will indicate such,” he said.

Dickwella was included in the team for the second Test against South Africa in place of Dinesh Chandimal and scored a half-century in his first Test innings.