DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) amended its Code of Conduct, including new offences which garnered strong backing at the 5-day annual conference it held in Dublin that ended Monday. The recommendations of the Anil Kumble-led ICC cricket committee and the chief executives’ committee were taken into consideration.
Ball tampering, an issue which has been in the news off late has been upgraded to a Level 3 offence from a Level 2 one, which essentially means that a player is liable to be banned for either 6 Tests or 12 ODIs, whichever comes first. Similarly, personal abuse could either be considered a Level 2 or a Level 3 one as well, making sledging possibly a punishable offence as well.
Any player or support staff who wishes to appeal for a decision would now have to submit an appeal fee while lodging it, which would be refunded back to them if it is successful.
The ICC has also amended guidelines which will allow the stump mic audio to be broadcast live at any point of the match.
Member boards have also been bought to notice by the ICC as they could be sanctioned for its players’ behaviour considering the number of offences committed.
ICC chief executive David Richardson said: “I’d like to thank the cricket committee and the chief executives for their commitment to improving player behaviour in the game and supporting the introduction of new offences and greater sanctions.
“There is a clear desire here to reclaim cricket’s unique proposition as a game that people can trust in and for us all to live the spirit of cricket in a way that is relevant in the 21st century. With regard to building a culture of respect, the Board agreed that Members should treat each other with respect as well as ensuring that their teams respect each other, the game and the match officials.
“There was strong reaffirmation from all members of the need to give support to our match officials around their decision making.”
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said: “It has been a productive week of meetings here in Dublin and it has been good to have all ICC members in attendance at our 75th annual conference. I and my fellow board directors were unanimous in supporting the recommendations of the cricket committee and chief executives’ committee to drive improved behavior across our sport.
“It is vital that there is a strong deterrent to both players and administrators to ensure we have high standards of conduct in our game. We have more than a billion fans and we must not give any of them any reason to doubt the high levels of integrity within our sport.”
