Benn slapped with heavy fine over Gayle clash

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn has been slapped with a heavy fine for his on-the-field run-in with captain Chris Gayle.

Following a meeting of team management on Monday in Trinidad and Tobago where the side is preparing for today’s final One-Day International, it was decided that the lanky 28-year-old would part with 100 per cent of his match fee,

Benn was sent off the field by Gayle for insubordination during the fourth One-Day International in Dominica on Sunday.

“The management group of the West Indies team met with Sulieman Benn late on Monday in relation to an on-field incident during the fourth Digicel One-Day International against South Africa …,” a West Indies Cricket Board statement said Monday. “Following the discussion, Benn accepted a fine of 100 per cent of his match fee and the matter was closed.” Benn was subsequently announced in a 14-man squad for the fifth ODI at Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday. Benn’s fine comes following his clash with Gayle as West Indies slid to a seven-wicket defeat on Sunday at Windsor Park.

In a post-match media conference, Gayle said he had asked Benn to bowl over the wicket but the bowler had refused.

“I actually asked him to leave the field,” the Jamaican told reporters.

“I asked him to bowl over the wicket. I don’t see why it should be a problem. He wasn’t up for it and if you’re not up for it, why give that particular bowler the ball?

“It was my call to actually ask him to leave and tell him that is not needed anymore.”

Benn sent down four overs which cost 22 runs before leaving the field.