 Sulieman Benn has been banned for two ODIs by the match referee Chris Broad after
he was found of committing a Level Two offence in the Australia versus
West Indies at WACA in Perth. Two other Australian players, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson were also awarded fines, 25% and 105 of their match fees respectively.
Benn's charge was a Level Two offence, which meant that he would have to miss
either a test match or two ODIs. Since West Indies plays ODIs next, the
punishment will be for the ODIs.
It was a surprise that Benn was accused as Level Two offender, as compared
to the other two who were put under the Level One bracket, which carries a maximum
fine of 50% of the match fee. Apparently, Sulieman Benn had pleaded not
guilty for the charge, whereas the two Aussies had pleaded guilty for "bringing
the game to disrepute" by their actions. According to the match referee,
had Benn pleaded guilty, he would have been afforded a smaller punishment. However,
given that he has pleaded not guilty, it would mean that the player can now
appeal against the verdict.
Broad said, "The decision to find Benn 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 Mr Benn has learnt his lesson and will be careful in the
future."
He also said that it was something that could have been avoided. He added,
"No one likes to see cricketers pointing bats at their opponents or pushing
each other away. 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."
Benn and Johnson had collided while the batsman was running towards the crease
while the bowler had tried to go after the ball. However, worse was to follow
as Brad Haddin was shown brandishing the bat at the bowler, which set
Benn off and saw him taking on the two. Later, at the end of the over, Benn
kept remonstrating at the two. This made Johnson elbow-push Benn off his space
and caused the umpires to report the three players.
However, the captain of the West Indian side, Chris Gayle said that
the physical contact was not made by Benn. He said, "If you watch the telly,
you see who made physical contact."
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