Mark Benson was a left-hand opening batsman who played for Kent from 1980 until 1997. With a reputation for being sound against fast bowling, Benson, whose career average was always on the right side of 40, was unfortunate to play only one Test in an era when England struggled against the pace of West Indies. His one chance came in 1986 when he replaced the injured Wayne Larkins against India at Edgbaston - Benson made 30 and 21, batting for more than four hours and looking quite comfortable. One ODI followed, and then he was dumped. He continued to score heavily for Kent until he was almost 40, and on retiring he became a first-class umpire in 2000. He stood in his first international match in June 2004 and was elevated to the ICC Elite Panel in April 2006.
Martin Williamson April 2006