Perth, Dec 18 (Inditop.com) West Indies spinner Benn Suleiman has been handed a two ODI ban while Australians Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson were fined match fees for their on-field altercation during the second day of the ongoing third Test here Thursday.
Match Referee Chris Broad found all the three players guilty of conduct contrary to the Spirit of Cricket. Haddin was fined 25 percent and Johnson 10 percent of their match fees.
Benn will miss the opening two ODIs against Australia in Melbourne and Adelaide slated for Feb 7 and Feb 9.
“No one likes to see cricketers pointing bats at their opponents or pushing each other away,” said Broad.
The incident that led to the charges being laid took place during the 118th over of Australia’s first innings. On the first ball of the over, Benn collided with non-striker Johnson while trying to stop the ball off his own bowling.
Two balls later, Haddin became involved when he pointed his bat at the bowler who had shaped to throw at the striker’s end with the batsman standing in his crease.
The three players then got embroiled in a heated altercation at the end of the 118th over with the 28-year-old from Barbados pointing at the Australia wicketkeeper over the shoulder of Johnson.
Broad said that the incident could have been avoided.
“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 Suleiman 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,” he said.
rounak