Published: Dec 05, 2014, 10:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 04, 2014, 09:32 PM (IST)
Dale Steyn infamously spat at Sulieman Benn during the third Test between South Africa and the West Indies at Barbados in 2010. Steyn’s action was deplorable; he was docked 100 percent of his match fee. Funnily, Benn was not charged with anything despite his provocative behaviour.
The third Test between South Africa and the West Indies at Kensington Oval, Barbados in 2010 was quite an acrimonious encounter. With South Africa leading the series 1-0 going into the final Test, West Indies had all to play for and their opponent’s dominance seemed to have rattled them. Yet, there was nothing they could do against a side on a rise in the Test rankings. Thus, it only manifested into a few ugly exchanges between players that left a bad taste in the mouth to end the tour.
Sulieman Benn, the mercurial West Indies left-arm spinner, cut a controversial figure during the tour. During one of the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) early in the tour, skipper Chris Gayle told him to go off the field when he did not heed to his instructions. Despite the tiff with the skipper, Benn managed to play the Test series against South Africa. This time, however, he had a brush with a member of the opposition. Dale Steyn, the South Africa fast bowler, was provoked during the third Test, and his reaction put the sport into shame.
During South Africa’s first innings, Benn kept having a verbal go at Steyn. And when Steyn was dismissed, he was in an angry mood. As he walked past Benn on way to the pavilion, he spat in Benn’s direction.
Jeff Crowe, the match referee, had no option but to fine Steyn his entire match fee for violating the Code of Conduct. Crowe said, “Dale’s behaviour was entirely unacceptable, and he knows that. The fact that he was provoked by Sulieman during his time at the crease helps to explain his actions, but cannot excuse them. Test cricket can be an examination of one’s emotions as well as skill and players must learn to keep those emotions in check sufficiently to play within the spirit of the game. This was an ugly moment of which I’m sure Dale is not proud.”
Interestingly, Benn did not attract any reprimand for this incident.
It did not stop there. As South Africa chased a paltry total in the fourth innings, Kemar Roach had an ugly spat with Jacques Kallis.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)
