ICC tells players to clean up their act
DUBAI, Monday (AFP)
International cricketers were told Sunday by the sport's world
governing body to cut down on their verbal sparring or risk disciplinary
action, with the Australia and South Africa teams singled out after a
prolonged "war of words" ahead of their upcoming Test series.
In a statement issued from its Dubai headquarters, the International
Cricket Council (ICC) warned that umpires and match referees would not
allow the spirit of the game to be compromised.
It added there had been a "spate of code of conduct reports" and that
the "war of words" in the lead up to the Australia v South Africa series
had raised concerns that the high standards expected of international
cricketers were at risk of being eroded.
The code of conduct governs players and officials on and off-field
behaviour and, if broken, can lead to both fines and suspensions.
The ICC's Australian chief executive, Malcolm Speed, added he was
also concerned by the way off-field comments might adversely influence
player behaviour and said what he wanted was more of the much-praised
sportsmanship witnessed during the recent Pakistan-India and
England-Australia Test series.
"Unfortunately, since the Ashes there has been a spate of code of
conduct offences committed by players which have resulted in a series of
penalties being applied, including suspension," Speed said.
"There have also been a series of comments by players and former
players ahead of the Australia v South Africa series that I believe make
it necessary to remind the players of the importance of playing within
the spirit of the game ahead of this series."
Since the start of November, eight players and officials have been
found guilty of ICC code of conduct breaches, twice the number of guilty
verdicts in the same period last year.
This year 38 players and officials have already been charged with
offences as the game heads into what is traditionally one of its busiest
periods with a number of Tests and one-day internationals remaining
before the end of the year. This compares with a total of 37 charges in
the whole of 2004.
Speed said that while verbal exchanges between players were part of
the game any player who crossed the line faced action under the code.
"Players should be under no illusions. Cricket is a game that expects
high standards of behaviour from its players, Umpires will report code
of conduct breaches and where a breach occurs, it will be dealt with."
South Africa have upset Australians by claiming the Aussies use
hostile comments known as "sledging" to upset and distract their
opponents. Australia leg-spin great Shane Warne, renowned almost as much
for his 'sledging' as his bowling, hit back Sunday.
Told that South Africa were employing a psychologist, he said: "They
might need one by the time we've finished with them."
The first Test of a three-match series starts in Perth on Friday. |