Joey banned from Challenge Trophy

13 April 2012

Joey Benjamin, the former Surrey and England pace bowler, is among three players who have been suspended from the

The trio from Bromley - Benjamin, his captain Kurman Ramanathan and wicket-keeper Rob Dummer - are banned from club cricket's premier knock-out tournament for the rest of the 2002 campaign.

The first match they will miss is Sunday's third-round tie against Kent neighbours Dartford.

Tournament director David Willis handed out the punishment after acting on written complaints from the umpires who took charge of the second-round match at Eastcote on 16 June, which Bromley won by 42 runs.

Umpires Roy Arnold, who stood in last year's final at The Oval, and Pat Baigent reported Benjamin and Dummer for "foul and abusive language and audible comments critical of umpiring decisions".

Captain Ramanathan was cited for failing to bring his players into line after two warnings.

Willis pointed out today: "The standard of behaviour in the 10 years of this tournament has been generally good and there has not been a problem for some time. But these were two experienced, respected umpires who were both very unhappy with Bromley's behaviour and cited three individuals.

"Prompt and strong action had to be taken to support them. Slapping wrists and wagging fingers is not sufficient to get the message across."

Benjamin had a fine county career with Warwickshire and Surrey in the Eighties and Nineties.

In 1994, he took 80 wickets in a season for Surrey and in the same year took 4-42 in his one and only England Test match against South Africa at The Oval. He also toured Australia with England that winter.

The third round: H Wycombe v Banstead, Bickley Pk v Wimbledon, Dulwich v F & Heronians, Dorking v Hainault, BWIA v Saffron W, Old Emanuel v Bexley, Sutton v Beddington, Bromley v Dartford, Walton on Thames v Hertford, Brentham v Southgate, S Hampst'd v Harrow, T'dington v Acton, W Herts v Hampst'd, Shenfield v Stanmore, Chingford v E Grinst'd, Brondesbury v Ealing.

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