Benson dismisses retirement rumours, backs DRS

London:

English umpire Mark Benson on Tuesday rubbished media reports which claimed he was quitting to protest the Decision Review System and said on the contrary, he remains a DRS supporter.

Benson said he returned after the first day's play in the second Test between Australia and the West Indies in Adelaide because of health problems and not because he was angry after one of his decisions was overruled by DRS.

"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," Benson said in a statement.

"I had withdrawn after the first day's play as I felt that due to my general health, I was not up to the task and felt it was in the best interests of the game, the ICC and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.

"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," added the Englishman.

Dismissing reports that linked his hasty return to DRS, Benson said, "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 media should not speculate on the issue any more.

"I sincerely hope that after Mark's clarification, all speculation will be put to rest and the focus will return to the Perth Test," Lorgat said.