1.1 Code Of Conduct
- 1.1.1 The ECB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. This Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the auspices of the ECB and may be applied to cricket in general.
- 1.1.2 The captains are responsible at ALL times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws.
- 1.1.3 Players and team officials must at ALL times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpires decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player or a spectator.
- 1.1.4 Players and team officials shall not intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player or a spectator.
- 1.1.5 Players and team officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as ‘Sledging’) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.
- 1.1.6 Players and team officials shall not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. Clubs must operate an active open door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin.
- 1.1.7 Players and team officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.
- 1.1.8 Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players and umpires.
1.2 Spirit Of Cricket
Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which 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.
- 1.2.1 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.
Players' Conduct
In the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising his decision by word or action. 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.
- 1.2.2 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.
- 1.2.3 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.
- 1.2.4 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.
- 1.2.5 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.
a) appeal knowing the batsman 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.
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.
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.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Paragraph 1 may lead to disciplinary action, irrespective of an alleged breach being related to a match not under the jurisdiction of the League.
2 Aims and Jurisdiction
These regulations shall apply to any player who plays for any club in the JCT600 Bradford League and in matches at any level under the auspices of the ECB/YCB.
3 Procedure
- 3.1 Umpires may award a five run penalty for any misconduct deemed to breach the Code of Conduct or Spirit of Cricket. In addition, if appropriate, the offence may also be reported to the League for disciplinary action.
If only five penalty runs are awarded the details should be recorded on the umpires report card before submission to the League.
If five penalty runs are imposed, the player(s) and captain MUST be informed and also advised if, in addition, the incident will be reported. The umpires will also ensure that any penalty runs have been noted by the scorers at the point of award. Umpires should only, when appropriate, impose five penalty runs on the first occasion they are confronted by any on-field indiscipline, in any one innings. Any further offences by the same team, in either innings, will be subject to disciplinary action by submitting a report form to the League. The player(s) and captain, who will also be reportable, must be informed of the intended action.
- 3.2 Any breach of the Code of Conduct or Spirit of Cricket shall be notified initially by telephone to the League Disciplinary Chairman by 10pm on the day following the match. Written details will be supplied within 48 hours of the completion of the match on the Disciplinary Report Form.Any breach of the Code of Conduct or Spirit of Cricket shall be notified initially by telephone to the League Disciplinary Chairman by 10pm on the day following the match. Written details will be supplied within 48 hours of the completion of the match on the Disciplinary Report Form which can be found on the league website under the discipline section.
- 3.3 Any complaint made by a person other than a match umpire must be made in writing to the League Disciplinary Chairman who will then follow the procedure set out in 3.4.
- 3.4 Within 24 hours of receiving confirmation of a complaint the League Disciplinary Chairman will contact a senior official of the club whose player/ players or team have been reported and inform them of the details. The Disciplinary Report Form completed by the match umpires will be forwarded to a club official for consideration within an Internal Club inquiry. The outcome of the Club Inquiry must be notified to the Disciplinary Chairman prior to the League's Disciplinary Hearing. The date on which the panel will consider the case will usually be within ten days of the offence and confirmed in writing.
4 Disciplinary Hearing
- 4.1 The Hearing shall be conducted by a Disciplinary Panel of the League which shall consist of not less than three persons, none of whom shall be connected with the player, the club or their opponents at the time of the alleged breach
- 4.2 Adjournments will only be granted at the discretion of the League Disciplinary Chairman.
- 4.3 The player, captain and if appropriate a club official will be required to attend the hearing, state their case (in the case of a club by its secretary or other official), to be supported by a colleague and to call witnesses.
5 Penalties
- 5.1 If at the hearing the Disciplinary Committee finds the alleged offence proved it shall have the power to impose one or more of the following penalties, together with such order as to costs as it deems appropriate:
- 5.2 In the case of a player:
- 5.2.1 To require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.
- 5.2.2 To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to further conduct.
- 5.2.3 To impose a fine.
- 5.2.4 To suspend the player for a stated period of time.
- 5.2.5 To deduct League points from the player's team.
- 5.2.6 To expel the player from the League.
- 5.3 In the case of a club:
- 5.3.1 To require the club to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.
- 5.3.2 To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.
- 5.3.3 To impose a fine.
- 5.3.4 To deduct League points from the club’s team(s).
- 5.3.5 To relegate to any lower division of the League.
- 5.3.6 To expel the club from any competition of the League.
- 5.3.7 To expel the club from the League.
- 5.4 The Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to suspend part of the penalty it imposes for such period and subject to such terms and conditions it deems appropriate.
- 5.5 Decisions of the Disciplinary Panel: A finding that a complaint is proved or not proved or a decision on penalty shall be by majority vote, where necessary the Disciplinary Panel Chairman shall have a casting vote.
6 Appeals Procedure
- 6.1 A player or club shall have the right of appeal to the Appeals Committee. Notice of Appeal setting out the grounds must be given in writing to the League Disciplinary Chairman within seven days of the decision of the Disciplinary Panel, together with a deposit of £50.
- 6.2 If Notice of Appeal is given the penalty shall not take effect pending the hearing of the Appeal, which shall take place as soon as it is practicable.
- 6.3 The Appeal shall be by way of re-hearing before a different Panel. The composition of the Panel shall be at the discretion of the Chairman of the League and shall consist of not less than three persons, none of whom shall be connected with the player, the club or their opponents at the time of the alleged breach. The player or club shall have the same rights of attendance and representation, and to call witnesses as they had before the Disciplinary Panel.
- 6.4 The Appeals Panel may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Disciplinary Panel and it shall have the power to increase the penalty and award costs of the Appeal hearing. Decisions of the Appeal Panel shall be by majority vote, where necessary, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
- 6.5 The decision of the Appeal Committee or, if no appeal, of the Disciplinary Panel, shall be final and binding.
7 Internal Club Inquiry
- 7.1 The Club of its own volition and without any need for the receipt of a written complaint or other prompting shall, where any alleged case of conduct which is not fair and proper occurs as stated in Paragraph 1 above, or otherwise as the club may think fit, forthwith convene an Internal Club Inquiry.
- 7.2 The purpose of the Internal Club Inquiry shall be to establish the facts and, where appropriate, to take the necessary disciplinary action so as to ensure that the club does not fail properly to control or discipline its player or players and to ensure that the club acts in a manner designed to protect the good name of the club and of cricket generally.
- 7.3 Any player requested to attend such an Internal Club Inquiry or any appeal there from, shall be entitled to be accompanied at the Inquiry by a friend or other representative.
8 Penalties
- 8.1 If the Internal Club Inquiry finds the misconduct proved, the club shall have the following powers:
- 8.1.1 To require the player to write letter(s) of apology within a specified time.
- 8.1.2 To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.
- 8.1.3 To impose a fine.
- 8.1.4 To suspend the player's right to be considered for selection by the club to play in one or more matches.
- 8.1.5 To suspend the player's membership of the club for a period.
- 8.1.6 If the conduct constitutes gross misconduct the club shall have the power to terminate the player’s membership forthwith.
- 8.2 The club for the same offence may, if it is thought fit, impose more than one of the above penalties.
9 Appeal Procedure
- 9.1 The player shall have the right to appeal to the President of the club or to the President's nominee for a review of the findings of the Internal Club Inquiry and of the penalty or penalties imposed.
- 9.2 The decision of the President or his nominee in all cases shall be final and binding.