Benn Banned, Haddin & Johnson Fined After Altercation

Benn Banned, Haddin & Johnson Fined After Altercation

Sulieman Benn has been handed a two-match ban by the ICC.

©Action Images / Craig Brough

West Indian spinner Sulieman Benn has been banned for two One-Day Internationals and Australians Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson have been fined after an altercation between the three players marred day two of the third and final Test in Perth.

Benn was handed the ban as he pleaded not guilty to breaching the ICC Code of Conduct while Haddin was fined 25 percent and Johnson ten percent of their match fees because they pleaded guilty.

All three players were deemed to have acted in a manner contrary to the spirit of cricket. The incident began when Benn and Johnson collided as Benn attempted to field the ball and the ugly confrontation continued when Haddin pointed at Benn with his bat after the bowler shaped as if to throw at the stumps at Haddin's end. All three players then came together and had to be separated by the umpires.

“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," ICC match referee Chris Broad explained.

“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.”

Benn will therefore miss the first and second One-Day Internationals between Australia and the West Indies in Melbourne and Adelaide on 7th and 9th February 2010 after he picked up two suspension points.

© Cricket World 2009

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