SYDNEY, Oct 2: Former Australian captain and commentator Richie Benaud said on Monday that the International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing into ball tampering arising from last month's forfeited fourth Test between England and Pakistan has hurt world cricket.

Benaud said the ICC hearing was “crass and unbecoming” and he criticised Pakistan's decision to refuse to re-enter the field instead of accepting the umpire's ruling at The Oval.

Benaud said he was angry about the sentence imposed on Inzamam.

“Why didn't he get a Test ban?” Benaud told Sydney's Daily Telegraph on Monday. “His proven offence was committed in a Test.

“Instead, he got the minimum one-day ban of four matches when the minimum Test ban was 10 days of cricket.

“The reasoning - it would have had a more immediate effect in the Champions Trophy — was lame. He could captain Pakistan in the final.”

Benaud said the umpire's power will be even further eroded if countries tried to pick and choose umpires for their matches.

Benaud said Australian umpire Darrell Hair and fellow umpire West Indian Billy Doctrove would umpire again in international matches if there were fairness.—AFP