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

Former Sri Lankan Test cricketer Dulip Samaraweera is being investigated by Cricket Australia over allegations of serious misconduct against a female player.

As first reported by the Herald Sun, former Victoria women’s cricket team coach Samaraweera is facing charges over alleged historical conduct involving the woman, who played at a professional level.

Cricket Australia’s integrity department is looking into the matter and the same outlet reports that a hearing into the code of conduct will take place soon.

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

“Cricket Victoria cannot comment on the course of events as they are ongoing. We will comment at a later date,” Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins told the Herald Sun.

After retiring as a player, Samaraweera moved to Australia, where he coached for more than ten years.

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

Samaraweera worked as an assistant coach with the Victoria women’s team and the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL.

The 52-year-old was promoted to head coach of Victoria’s women’s team last year, but stepped down from the role after just two weeks.

According to the Herald Sun, his departure was due to his desire to appoint his brother, Thilan Samaraweera, as the team’s batting coach, which is against CV’s conflict of interest rules.

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

According to the same outlet, Samaraweera has a strong professional bond with some of the state’s top players, some of whom initially urged him to retain his role as batting coach when he left.

At the time of publication, he has not publicly responded to the allegations.