PERTH, Australia, CMC – West Indies left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn has been banned for two One-Day Internationals for his fracas with Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson during the third Test on Thursday.
Cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council, said Friday the 28-year-old Benn had been charged with a Level 2 offence and slapped with two suspension points which meant a ban of two ODIs or one Test, whichever came first. In Benn’s case, he will now miss the two ODIs in Melbourne on February 7 and Adelaide two days later, when the Windies return here for the five-match one-day series next year.“It was an incident which could have been avoided. No one likes to see cricketers pointing bats at their opponents or pushing each other away,” said matchreferee Chris Broad.
“It is not the sort of example that players should be setting at any time, least of all in a series which is being played in a great spirit and being followed by millions around the world on television.
“The decision to find Sulieman guilty of a Level 2 offence is indicative of the fact that conduct contrary to the spirit of the game is completely unacceptable. I hope he has learnt his lesson and will be careful in the future.”
Haddin and Johnson walked away with slaps on the wrists for their part in the bust-up during the second day’s play at the WACA, after they pleaded guilty to breaching the ICC Code of Conduct relating to contravening the spirit of the game.
While Haddin will forfeit 25 per cent of his match fee, Johnson will part with just 10 per cent of his. Neither player required a full hearing after their guilty pleas.
Benn pleaded not guilty, however, and attended a full hearing at the close of play.
The six-foot, seven-inch bowler clashed with Haddin and Johnson as tempers flared during the tail-end of Australia’s innings on Thursday.
Benn collided with Johnson at the non-striker’s end while attempting to field a delivery off his own bowling, leading to Haddin pointing his bat at the bowler.
A visibly riled Benn then exchanged words with Haddin and tensions spilled over into a mid-pitch shoving incident moments later.
