English umpire Mark Benson seems intent on retiring from his role on the international panel followed a hurried exit from the second Test between Australia and the West Indies at Adelaide Oval.

Though ICC match referee Chris Broad insisted that Benson flew home worried about ongoing health problems, not out of exasperation at Test cricket’s new decision referral system, the circumstances of the departure suggest otherwise.

Reports have surfaced in Britain that Benson has retired, effective immediately, and was upset by the system.

This followed a fraught first day when he faced three decision referrals, including two for Shivnarine Chanderpaul that caused consternation on both sides.

The first saw Australian captain Ricky Ponting engage Benson in lengthy debate about the not out verdict, while the second had Chanderpaul given out by third umpire – now Benson’s replacement – Asad Rauf despite flimsy television evidence.

Benson did not visit a hospital before his return home, and the idea that he would contemplate the 30-plus hours in the air between Australian and Britain with stomach problems seems incongruous a few days after Marcus North delayed a much shorter flight from Perth to Adelaide due to gastro.

But Broad said it was Benson’s health, following an apparent re-occurrence of problems that caused his withdrawal from the recent Australian limited overs tour of India due to illness.

“Mark spoke to me on the second morning and said that he was feeling unwell. I was in India with him as well where he was unwell and thought it might well be another situation like we were in in India,” Broad said on Sunday.

“We chatted about it and he said he didn’t feel as though he could go on the field again, so basically we decided to leave him back at the hotel, I phoned Dubai and they decided that if it was a re-occurrence of the high blood pressure or stomach problems he had in India, that he needs to get it sorted out.”

Broad was adamant the review system had nothing to do with Benson’s decision to leave the country.

“No, absolutely not, no truth in that at all,” he said.

“In fact there’s probably less pressure on the umpires now with the review system than there was beforehand, because umpires would stand out there in the middle and the captain would strut around, the fielders would strut around not really knowing the result of it, with the review system they know the result straight away.

“The review system is new to everyone and we’ve got to get used to it, but I think he was an advocate of the review system to help umpires out.”

Benson has been at the centre of circumstances more acrimonious than those in Adelaide.

In January 2008 he officiated in the infamous Sydney Test between Australia and India, which featured the “monkeygate” confrontation between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds.

Snapshot of day three of the second cricket Test between Australia and the West Indies at Adelaide Oval.

SCORE – Australia were bowled out for 439, a dozen runs shy of West Indies’ first innings. The visitors then thrashed 23 runs from four wicketless overs in their second innings to take an overall lead of 35.

MAN OF THE MOMENT – Sulieman Benn (5-155). The 200cm-tall West Indian spinner was justly rewarded for his nagging line and testing length with his first five wicket haul in Test cricket.

KEY MOMENT – Second ball of the day. Australian opener Shane Watson misses a near half-tracker and is bowled for 96 – the first of 10 Australian wickets to fall for 265 runs in the day.

STAT OF THE DAY – 53. The number of overs Benn bowled in a marathon performance.

QUOTE OF THE DAY – “Hopefully they (Australia) are under some sort of pressure but the game is still in the balance.” Benn.

SUMMARY – The Windies have the upper hand and are in the position to drive any result – provided their batting, and their nerves, hold up.

© AAP 2012

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.