BAD BEHAVIOUR has caused repeat offender Sulieman Benn to be banned for a second time within a year by the International Cricket Council (ICC).Benn, the lanky Barbados and West Indies left-arm spinner, must now miss the West Indies’ next Test match or two One-Day Internationals or two Twenty20 matches, whichever comes first.The cricketer was suspended after pleading guilty to a Level 2 breach of the ICC’s Code of Conduct after admitting to behaviour that was contrary to clause 2.2.11 (a) relating to conduct of a serious nature that is “contrary to the spirit of the game”.Benn left his team’s quarters in the pavilion and “inappropriately and without invitation”, barged into the South African team’s room during the luncheon interval on the third day of the third Digicel Test between West Indies and South Africa at Kensington Oval, a game which was marred by ill-tempered behaviour late last month.The ICC pointed out that Benn provoked some of the South African cricketers and team management, resulting in “a heated exchange of aggressive remarks”.As such, the ICC noted that under the provisions of the code, the matter was determined by match referee Jeff Crowe without the need for a full hearing.South Africa’s sayThe South African team management had written the ICC about the incident, requesting that Benn, who will celebrate his 29th birthday on July 22, be subjected to disciplinary action.Crowe, a former New Zealand Test captain, ordered the imposition of two suspension points, which amounts to either a ban of one Test match or two ODIs or two T20s, whichever comes first for the player.Referring to an earlier spat, the report noted: “Whatever had gone on before Sulieman entered the Proteas’ dressing room, while helping to explain his behaviour, cannot justify it,” Crowe contended, alluding to an earlier on-field incident involving South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn.Steyn was subsequently fined 100 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of spitting in the direction of Benn as he walked off, following his dismissal when he was bowled by fast bowler Kemar Roach, who was also fined half his match fee for a separate incident with batsman Jacques Kallis after he struck him on the helmet with a legal delivery.“Clearly, Sulieman has acted inappropriately here and in a way that is contrary to the spirit of cricket. We like the game to be played in a competitive way but, whether on or off the field, players must treat the opposition and the game itself with respect. That did not happen on this occasion and Sulieman has paid the price,” Crowe asserted.He noted that because it was Benn’s second breach of this clause of the code within a 12-month period, the range of sanctions applicable was more severe than it otherwise would have been, namely between two and eight suspension points.“Sulieman’s punishment was more severe than it might otherwise have been because this was not his first offence in the past 12 months,” added Crowe.
