Atherton's demand of ban on Sree Santh unjustified : Bansal

New Delhi, Aug 7 (UNI) The demand for a ban on pacer Shantakumaran Sree Santh by former England captain Michael Artherton for hurling a beamer at Kevin Pieterson is totally unjustified, according to the rule books, said former international umpire S K Bansal.

''As per the rule books Michael Artherton's demand is totally unjustified,'' umpire Bansal told UNI.

''If the bowler throws full pitch beamer at the batsman and the umpire feels that the act is not deliberate and the bowler apologises then no penalty should be imposed on the bowler,'' said Bansal.

''If the bowler again throws a similar ball, the umpire can ban the bowler from balling in the match but such ban could only be imposed by the field umpire and the decision must be spontaneous,'' added the umpire who was also on the ICC panel list.

''Sree Santh had apoligised after throwing the beamer on Pieterson in the second Test as the act was not deliberte and the field umpire did not impose any penalty on the bowler,'' added the former cricket umpire.

The controversy resurfaced in the backdrop of an article in Daily Telegraph by Michael Artherton demanding ban on the Indian seamer from playing in the third and final test.

''During 2003 World Cup when Pakistan's paceman Waqar Younis threw a beamer on the batsman and apoligised he was pardoned but when again similar ball was thrown Umpire David Shepherd did not allow the bowler from bowling in the match,'' cited Bansal.

He also said that the match referee had no role in such disputes and the soul discretion lies with the field umpire.

He took a dig at the former English captain for his alleged double standards where he demanded Sree Santh to be banned on the one hand but remained silent on the jeelybeans episode involving English players and Indian paceman Zaheer Khan.

Sledging in the game is against the spirit of the sports and strict regulations should be imposed on the behaviour of the players on the field, said the former umpire.

UNI