London, Dec 8 (IANS) Clearing all doubts, English umpire Mark benson said Tuesday that he left the Adelaide Test mid-way only for health reasons and in no way was he resigning from the International Cricket Council (ICC) elite panel.
Benson flew hurriedly back home in England after standing on the first day of the second cricket Test between Australia and West Indies. His mysterious absence sparked speculations that he was frustrated after finding himself at the receiving end of the new decision referral system with some of his decisions over-ruled.

The ICC first said that Benson left because of his health problems but in a complete U-turn the world body’s cricket manager Dave Richardson said that the elite panel umpire also failed to handle the “pressure” of his demanding job. It sparked speculations that Benson might announce his retirement Tuesday.

But the Englishman instead came out with a statement clarifying that he has not resigned from the elite panel.

“Following my withdrawal from the Adelaide Test and the media speculation about my future, I would like to clarify that I have not resigned as an elite panel umpire. I had withdrawn after the first day’s play as I felt that due to my general health, I was not up to the task and felt it was in the best interests of the game, the ICC and myself that I step down and hand over to my colleague on the elite panel, Asad Rauf,” he said in a statement.

“I have been in discussions with the ICC since my return from Australia and we have agreed that I will undergo a series of medical assessments. We will then discuss my future and my position as an ICC elite umpire.

“I would also like to state clearly that my withdrawal had nothing whatsoever to do with the decision review system (DRS). I remain a proponent of the use of technology as it helps the reduction of the obvious umpiring errors. The media speculation about the so-called disagreement in the umpires’ room is unfounded and totally untrue.”

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: “I sincerely hope that after Mark’s clarification, all speculation will be put to rest and the focus will return to the Perth Test which is extremely crucial to Australia who needs to beat the West Indies to prevent dropping from its current third position to fourth in the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table.”