Applying double standards in his capacity as ICC match referee in matters concerning conduct of the game
That man Chris Broad is at it againu00a0- applying double standards in his capacity as ICC match referee in matters concerning conduct of the game.
His latest example, in a long list of double standards while interpreting the rules of the game especially in matters of discipline, is his suspension of West Indies spin bowler ('Big Benn') Sulieman Benn, which has the visitors hopping mad.
Furious at the uneven sentences handed down to Benn and Australian players Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson, the West Indians are contemplating venting their displeasure to the International Cricket Council.
No justice
On many occasions in the past,u00a0Khalidoscope has castigated Broad, whose own record as England Test player was appalling, for his flagrant violation of norms of justice, especially concerning Indian players.
Benn was suspended for two one-day matches for his part in an ugly exchange on the first day with the Australian players, who were let off lightly. Haddin was fined 25 per cent of his match fees (about Rs.1.5 lakhs) and Johnson 10 per cent (approx Rs 55,000).
West Indies team manager Joel Garner, a former bowling great, is quoted as saying:"I do have strong feelings on this and I will have plenty to say to the right people."
The West Indians are incensed. They maintain that Haddin instigated the incident by pointing his bat at Benn in a threatening manner and that it was Johnson who made physical contact with the lanky bowler.
Benn apologised to the umpires but pleaded not guilty.
West Indian captain Chris Gayle was furious.
"If you watched the television you saw who made the physical contactu00a0... Benn was not involved with that," he fumed.
Broad, typically, refused to explain his decision apart from stressing the need for firm action.
Postscript: Friday'su00a0Khalidoscope column inadvertently left out reference to the source which was the Australian newspaper.
1986-87
The season Chris Broad helped England win the Ashes in Australia
520Number of runs The Aussies scored in their first innings againstu00a0West Indiesu00a0at Perth
