Ball-tampering hearing hurt world cricket

Former Oz skipper and commentator says the ICC hearing was "crass and unbecoming" and is angry about the sentence imposed on Inzamam.

Richie Benaud says last week's International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing into ball tampering arising from last month's forfeited fourth Test between England and Pakistan has hurt world cricket.

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The respected former Australian captain and cricket commentator 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.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was cleared of ball-tampering but found guilty by the ICC of bringing the game into disrepute over his side's refusal to play.

Inzamam was banned for four one-day internationals, which effectively rules him out of next month's Champions Trophy tournament in India.

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 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.