As the intensity of competition increases between a domineering Australia and a resurgent West Indies outfit, tempers are beginning to reach boiling point.
As the intensity of competition increases between a domineering Australia and a resurgent West Indies outfit, tempers are beginning to reach boiling point.
In a repeat of the first day's physical confrontation in the Perth Test when Ricky Ponting and Dwayne Bravo shouldered each other, tempers exploded yesterday as West Indies spinner Sulieman Benn had an on-pitch altercation with Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson, prompting umpire Billy Bowden to intercede.
The incident was sparked off when Benn collided with Johnson as the batsman at the bowler's end set off for a single, in the process obstructing the lanky spinner in attempting to field the ball played by Haddin.
Benn grabbed Johnson's arm and shirt as Johnson crossed his path on his follow-through.
Losing his cool, Haddin thrust his bat towards Benn while complaining to the umpires.
"Don't push your f****** bat at me, man," the irascible Benn then yelled at Haddin, The wicket-keeper batsman responded: "Get back and bowl."
Windies captain Chris Gayle pacified Benn as the umpires stepped in. Two balls later, the final ball of the over, Haddin drove straight back to Benn who then motioned to wildly throw the ball in the batsman's direction, resulting in Haddin jumping out of the way.
Benn then charged down the pitch pointing at Haddin and in that motion his elbow hit the side of Johnson's helmet, resulting in a push and shove between that pair before Bowden stepped in.
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