'Irresponsible' Odumbe banned

Kenya captain Maurice Odumbe has been banned for two matches and severely reprimanded after accusing an umpire of bias.

Odumbe made his comments at a news conference after Kenya's nine-wicket loss to South Africa in Kimberley on Sunday.

He said one of the umpires, who he did not name, had contravened the spirit of cricket and had appeared to favour the home team.

"The remarks made accuse the victim of bias," International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Judge Ahmed Ebrahim said in a written statement on Tuesday.

"I find these remarks to be of a highly scurrilous nature and to be totally without foundation."

While acknowledging that Odumbe had accepted during a disciplinary hearing that he was wrong and had apologised to the umpire concerned, Ebrahim said he would have banned him for longer had it not been for his inexperience.

"He as captain had an additional responsibility to lead by example. He has chosen to conduct himself in a most irresponsible manner," he said.

Odumbe had told reporters after the game: "I must point out that there was one gentleman out there who was not very friendly towards us and I've put that in my report."

He claimed the official -- who he hinted was experienced South African umpire David Orchard -- had been gruff in responding to queries from his players over no-balls and over standing back from the stumps.

Kenya are bottom of the triangular tournament table after heavy defeats in their opening three games.

Odumbe will miss Kenya's match against India in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday and their final game against South Africa in Cape Town on October 22.

He will be available for their final group match against India in Paarl on October 24. Under ICC rules, players and team officials are not meant to make public comments about umpires.

Mail Cricket Editor