West Indies spinner Sulieman Benn has been suspended for two one-day internationals, while Australia’s Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson have been fined over a heated on-field altercation during the first cricket test.
The International Cricket Council said Friday that Benn will miss the opening two limited-overs matches against Australia in Melbourne on Feb. 7 and Adelaide on Feb. 9. Haddin and Johnson have been fined 25 percent and 10 percent of their respective match fees for their part in the altercation.
The incident took place during Australia’s first innings, when bowler Benn collided with non-striker Johnson while trying to field a ball.
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 became embroiled in a heated altercation at the end of the over, with Benn pointing at Haddin over Johnson’s shoulder.
Benn pleaded not guilty to his level two offense but match referee Chris Broad found him guilty at a hearing following the second day’s play in Perth.
“It was an incident which could have been avoided,” Broad said in a statement. “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.”
Haddin and Johnson pleaded guilty to their respective offenses. Benn has the right to appeal the match referee’s decision within 48 hours.
