Sri Lanka legend Sanath Jayasuriya charged under ICC Anti-Corruption Code

Credit: PA

Sri Lanka great Sanath Jayasuriya has been charged with two breaches of the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption code.

Jayasuriya was the player of the tournament when Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996, the highlight of a stellar playing career that comprised of 110 Tests, 445 one-day internationals and 31 Twenty20s.

The former Sri Lanka Cricket chair of selectors has two weeks to respond to the charges which relate to "failure or refusal" to co-operate as well as "obstructing or delaying" an investigation carried out by the anti-corruption unit.

The ICC said in a statement: "Sanath Jayasuriya, charged with two counts of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, has been given 14 days from 15 October 2018 to respond."

The former Sri Lanka captain amassed 6,973 runs at an average of just over 40 in Tests over an international career that spanned four decades - from 1989 to 2011.

As his playing career was winding down, he entered politics and served on the Sri Lanka parliament from 2010 to 2015, while he resigned as a member of the selection committee in August last year.

It is unknown which fixtures the charges relate to, or if anyone else is involved, but the ICC said the breaches relate to article 2.4.6 and 2.4.7 of its anti-corruption code.

The ICC added: "Failure or refusal, without compelling justification, to cooperate with any investigation carried out by the ACU, including failure to provide accurately and completely any information and/or documentation requested by the ACU as part of such investigation.

Jayasuriya amassed 6,973 runs at an average of just over 40 in Tests over an international career that spanned four decades Credit: PA

"Obstructing or delaying any investigation that may be carried out by the ACU, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code."

It was announced earlier this month that Alex Marshall, general manager of the anti-corruption unit, was overseeing a probe into potential corrupt practices over over "serious allegations" in Sri Lanka.

The matters under investigation are historical in nature and do not pertain to England's tour but it was reported that both sides would be met by Marshall's team prior to the ODI series which started last week to highlight the ongoing problems.

"We are currently in Sri Lanka as part of our ongoing investigations into serious allegations of corruption in cricket in the country," Marshall said a couple of weeks ago.

"The enquiries are continuing so it would not be appropriate to comment further, but I can confirm that we have, at their request, provided a detailed briefing to the Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister and Sports Minister. We are receiving full support from the Competent Authority currently in place at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) whilst elections for the SLC Board are pending."