Former international cricket star under investigation amid allegations of serious misconduct towards a female player

Former Sri Lanka Test cricketer Dulip Samaraweera is facing an investigation by Cricket Australia amid allegations of serious misconduct towards a female player.

As first reported by the Herald Sun, former Victoria women’s cricket coach Samaraweera has been charged with alleged historical conduct involving the woman, who played at professional level.

Cricket Australia’s integrity department is dealing with the matter, and the outlet reported that a hearing on the code of conduct will be held in due course.

The 52-year-old former cricketer was set to take up a coaching role with the Australia A women’s team during their series against India A but was suspended once the allegations came to light.

“Cricket Victoria is unable to comment on the proceedings as they are currently ongoing, we will comment on the proceedings at the appropriate time,” Cricket Victoria boss Nick Cummins told the Herald Sun.

After retiring as a player, Samaraweera moved to Australia, where he has coached for over a decade.

He played five Test matches and seven One-Day Internationals for his country.

Samaraweera worked as an assistant coach with the Victorian Women’s team as well as the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL.

The 52-year-old was promoted to head coach of the Victoria women’s team last year but left the role after just two weeks in charge.

The Herald Sun reports that his departure was linked to his desire to hire his brother, Thilan Samaraweera, as the team’s batting coach, in breach of CV’s conflict of interest rules.

Andrew Christie is now the coach of the Victoria women’s team.

Samaraweera, the outlet reports, has a strong professional relationship with several of the state’s top players, and some initially lobbied for him to retain his role as batting coach when he left.

He has not publicly addressed the allegations at the time of publication.