Players Code of Conduct

PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT

THE SPIRIT OF CRICKET

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it is expected to be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action, that is seen to abuse this spirit, causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains of the competing teams.

There are two Laws, which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the Captain.

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.

1.     Players’ Conduct

         In the event of any Player failing to comply with the instructions of an Umpire, criticising theirdecisions by word or action, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the Umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other Umpire and to the Player’s Captain requesting the latter to take action.

2.     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 required.

3.     The Umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:

·       Time Wasting

·       Damaging the pitch

·       Intimidatory bowling

·       Tampering with the Ball

·       Any other action that they feel to be unfair

4.     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

5.     It is against the Spirit of the Game:

To question an Umpire’s decision by word or gesture

Indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, e.g.

a)     Appeal, knowing that the Batter is not out

b)     Advance towards an Umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing

c)     seek to 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.

Consumption of Alcohol

The consumption of alcohol by players participating in the game in progress will not be tolerated and clubs allowing this practice to continue will be severely punished.

Overall Conduct

Players, Captains and Umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match and every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

PLAYER BEHAVIOUR

The GCA continues to be concerned with some aspects of player behavior in GCA Club Cricket.

Traditionally, cricket has been the one sport to maintain and exhibit the highest levels of conduct and sportsmanship. While always a most competitive game, the continued strength of the sport has relied upon the acceptance of the Umpire’s decision and the preparedness to play within the spirit of the game.

The areas of major concern, and those clearly unacceptable to the GCA are:

a)     The use of offensive language – generally as a disparaging remark to an opposing player or toward an Umpire, or even as an expression of frustration or self-admonishment. This includes racial vilification (any act that is reasonably likely to threaten, disparage, vilify, offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group based on race, religion, descent, colour or national or ethic origin).

b)     The questioning / disputing of the Umpires decision – often in an aggressive manner or sarcastic manner. This applies equally to dismissals and unsuccessful appeals as to the judgement of calls on no-balls, wides, byes, etc.

c)     The excessive number of frivolous and ridiculous appeals – primarily aimed at pressuring and intimidating the Umpire into a favourable decision.

d)     The actions of the dismissed batter – in failing to leave the crease promptly on being given out and any equipment abuse (e.g. banging the bat into the ground or against the fence or race, etc and/or throwing the bat or equipment during or after their return to the pavilion).

Whether or not such behaviour is evident in international/interstate/intrastate cricket or whether the language used is considered acceptable by today’s society is of little concern to the GCA. The Association is primarily interested in having all cricket under its control played within the spirit and traditions of the game. The GCA has two processes for the reporting and consideration of unsatisfactory behaviour:

Serious breaches of misbehaviour will see the player immediately reported by the Umpire(s) controlling the match. (Refer GCA Rule 11 and the section which follows – Reported Players)

For less serious breaches where an Umpire has occasion to speak to a player regarding their behaviour, but does not believe a report is necessary, the incident will be noted on the Umpires Match Report. Should a player be noted on the three such Reports during the season, they may be called to appear before the GCA Tribunal to explain their behaviour.

IN BOTH INSTANCES, SHOULD A PLAYER BE FOUND GUILTY OF AN ACT OF MISCONDUCT, THEY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR A SUSPENSION AS DETERMINED BY THE TRIBUNAL.

The recruitment and retention of Umpires has become increasingly difficult and it is certainly not being made any easier by the regularly unacceptable levels of player conduct. Few people are willing to continually subject themselves to the childish behaviour and offensive language that is too frequently prevalent on and beyond the cricket field.

All players can certainly play a role in raising the general standard of umpiring and the level of experience within the GCA Panel by lifting their personal level of behaviour and permitting the Umpires to concentrate on those aspects of the game for which they are responsible.

All umpires will be requested to take a firm line with respect to player misconduct especially with regard to the use of offensive language and the disputation of any decision.

ALL PLAYERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE STANDARDS EXPECTED BY THE GCA AND CONSEQUENTLY ANY PLAYER CALLED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL CAN EXPECT LITTLE SYMPATHY AND, IF FOUND GUILTY, A PERIOD OF SUSPENSION.

It is the responsibility of everyone involved with GCA cricket – Club Officials, Team Captains and especially the Players, to ensure a return to the levels of conduct and sportsmanship traditionally inherent in the game.