Suranga Lakmal is expected to lead Sri Lanka in their upcoming Test series against South Africa, starting on July 12. Their regular captain Dinesh Chandimal could be out for at least two Tests as he, along with head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and team manager Asanka Gurusinha, has pleaded guilty for a Level 3 offence.

“We have come to terms with the fact that we will be without the captain. It is a matter of how many matches he will miss. We will progress with Lakmal as there needs to be continuity,” an SLC official told Cricbuzz.

Sri Lanka cricket team had refused to take field, which caused a two-hour delay during the second Test against West Indies. As a result, the trio were charged for “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”. They now await a hearing that is scheduled to be held on July 10.

A Level 3 offence carries a maximum of six demerit points along with a ban for two four Tests or four to eight limited-over matches. So, Chandimal could also miss a number of games during the limited-over series after the two match Test series against the Proteas.

“Dinesh Chandimal’s captaincy is one thing, but it’s Chandimal the batsman we are going to miss the most if he is ruled out, because he is someone who will work at those crucial moments and get those big hundreds for us,” SLC chief selector Graeme Labrooy reportedly said.

Chandimal was also banned for the third and final Test of Sri Lanka’s series against West Indies as he was found guilty of changing the condition of the ball during the second Test. Lakmal led Sri Lanka to a series-leveling win in that match against the Caribbean side.