PERTH: 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 Test.

The International Cricket Council said on
Friday that Benn will miss the opening two limited-overs matches against
Australia in Melbourne on February 7 and Adelaide on February 9. Haddin and
Johnson have been fined 25 percent and 10 percent of their respective match fees
for their part in the altercation.

Benn was charged with an article
2.2.11 offence while both Haddin and Johnson were charged with an article 2.1.8
offence. Both these offences prohibit players from conducting themselves in any
way that is not in accordance with the spirit of the game.

For Level
2 offences players have the right to appeal against match referee’s decision
within 48 hours of notification of that decision, while for a first Level 1
offence the match referee’s decision is final and binding.

The
incident took place during Australia’s first innings, when bowler Benn collided
with non-striker Johnson while trying to field a ball.

As the Aussies
completed the single, Haddin became involved when he pointed his bat at Benn.
After fielding the last ball of the over, Benn shaped to throw at the striker’s
end with Haddin 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 and the Aussie fast bowler tried to push him
away.

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.