Cricket: Sri Lankan cricket legend charged with assault

Sri Lankan cricket legend Arjuna Ranatunga has been charged with assault and illegal detention following an altercation with teenage cricket players at the family home in Colombo.

Thirty-six counts were filed at a magistrate's court in connection with the alleged assault against seven students, aged 16 to 18, who tried to retrieve a cricket ball that fell into the Ranatunga home last March.

Ranatunga's brother, Prasanna, and three others who worked for the family were also charged and the initial hearing was fixed for March 6.

Ranatunga, 38, contested the national elections on December 5 and entered Parliament as a member of the main opposition party. His father is also an opposition legislator.