Benson blames health for Test walkout

Pa
Tuesday 08 December 2009 14:30 GMT
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Benson was reportedly furious over TV replay decisions
Benson was reportedly furious over TV replay decisions (GETTY IMAGES)

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English umpire Mark Benson today revealed he has not quit his job and will be undergoing medical tests because of ill health.

Benson, 51, quit the second Test between Australia and West Indies in Adelaide after the first day and returned to the UK.

Speculation mounted that he had walked out on the match due to anger at the implementation of the umpire decision review system.

But in a statement he denies this and will now discuss his future as an International Cricket Council official after medical assessment.

In a statement released through the ICC, Benson said: "I would like to clarify that I have not resigned as an elite panel umpire.

"I had withdrawn after the first day's play as I felt that - due to my general health - I was not up to the task and was in the best interests of the game, the ICC and myself that I step down and hand over to my colleague Asad Rauf.

"I have been in discussions with the ICC since my return from Australia and we have agreed that I will undergo a series of medical assessments. We will then discuss my future and my position as an ICC elite umpire.

"I would also like to state clearly that my withdrawal had nothing whatsoever to do with the decision review system (DRS).

"I remain a proponent of the use of technology as it helps the reduction of the obvious umpiring errors.

"The media speculation about the so-called disagreement in the umpires' room is unfounded and totally untrue."

Benson was reported to be furious that the second of two not out decisions he gave for Australian caught behind appeals against Shivnarine Chanderpaul was overruled by third umpire Asad Rauf.

However, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "I sincerely hope that after Mark's clarification, all speculation will be put to rest and the focus will return to the Perth Test."

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