Cricket: 'Worst behaviour I've seen'

PERTH - Max O'Connell thought he had just about seen it all during a long career as an international cricket umpire, including Dennis Lillee throwing his aluminium bat away in disgust.

But yesterday he echoed the thoughts of several distinguished former test umpires in describing Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga's display last weekend in the one-day match against England as easily the worst behaviour he had ever watched.

Ranatunga argued strongly with Australian umpire Ross Emerson after Emerson no-balled Sri Lanka offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing.

Match referee Peter Van der Merwe has now found Ranatunga guilty of contravening clause one of the ICC's code, but he received only a suspended sentence of six one-day matches and a fine of 75 per cent of his match fee.

Ranatunga was charged with five different counts of misconduct after arguing with Emerson.

The Sri Lankan captain the led his team to the boundary in a protest, where more arguments ensued before play resumed.

O'Connell, who umpired the last of his 20 tests in 1981 and also took charge of 160 games in the South Australian football league, said the decision not to suspend Ranatunga was ridiculous.

"With Ranatunga it wasn't just one incident. He was telling Ross Emerson that he was in charge of the game, jabbing him in the chest, threatening to take his team off the field," O'Connell said.

"It was easily the worst behaviour I've ever seen on a cricket field. This will obviously affect efforts to recruit umpires.

"When you have incidents like this, everything will flow down to the junior level. This will make it harder for people umpiring kids' games."

The most infamous incident O'Connell was involved in came in the 1979-80 test between Australia and England in Perth, when Lillee was told by the umpires he could not use an aluminium bat.

The fiery fast bowler eventually threw the bat away in disgust and was chastised by captain Greg Chappell, who later apologised to O'Connell.

New South Wales umpires' director Dick French agreed that the outcome of Ranatunga's case would make it harder to convince young people to take up umpiring.

"The behaviour of the Sri Lankan captain was inexcusable. To prod, point and to not accept the umpire's ruling was really disgraceful," he said.

"And to hear the punishment this morning really leaves a sour taste in your mouth because I believe a suspended sentence doesn't mean anything."

Former umpire Lou Rowan criticised the decision and said it would have global repercussions for the umpiring fraternity.

"The umpires throughout the world can now expect no support at all from administrators," Rowan said.

"I feel the umpires have been abandoned at the highest level.

"The Australian Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council stand condemned for the handling of events this season."

Van der Merwe was visibly angry at the decision, telling Ranatunga as they left the Western Australia Cricket Association ground in Perth after the panel's verdict: "You and I are going to be severely criticised for this." - AAP