Responsibility of Captains
The Captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.
Players’ Conduct
In the event of a player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decisions of the umpire, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first placed report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain, and instruct the latter to take action.
Fair and Unfair play
According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play.
The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where requested.
The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:
- Time wasting
- Damaging the pitch
- Dangerous or unfair bowling
- Tampering with the ball
- Any other action that they consider to be unfair
The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:
- Your opponents
- Your own captain and team
- The role of the umpires
- The game’s traditional values
It is against the Spirit of the Game:
- To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture
- To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
- To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:
- to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out
- to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
- to seek or distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.
Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.
Players
Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.
