Pakistan's joy and Sri Lanka's dismay at the result of the second Test, which ended recently at Karachi, have been amplified, as Kumar Sangakkara has been fined by the ICC for bat abuse, while Danish Kaneria has been praised by his coach at Essex, Graham Gooch.
Sangakkara, after being dismissed for 137, had flung his bat up in the air. The bat ended up landing on the crease and bouncing onto the stumps. Jeff Crowe, the match referee, disapproved. "Sangakkara was found violating the ICC code of conduct when he threw his bat," he said after the game, fining the offender 30% of his match fee.
Meanwhile, Gooch was delighted with Kaneria's showing. Kaneria had a good season with Essex this year, and his new two-year contract with them will extend that association into 2006. He bowled 83 overs for his ten wickets in this Test, which prompted Gooch to remark, "Danish shows a great appetite and enthusiasm for bowling - reflected by his 60 overs in the second innings of this Test. Someone who plays like that deserves success.
"I've just sent him a text message to congratulate him on his efforts," Gooch continued, "and we look forward to him repeating this form with us next year."