Bassetlaw and District Cricket League Official Handbook 2021

Disciplinary Regulations Document E P a g e | 4 3 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. There are two Laws which place the responsibility for a team’s conduct firmly on the captain: i. Responsibility of Captains The captains are always responsible for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws. ii. Player’s Conduct In the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising their 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 act. 4 Fair & 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 act where required. 4.1 The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of: i. Time wasting ii. Damaging the pitch iii. Dangerous or unfair bowling iv. Tampering with the ball v. Any other action that they consider to be unfair 4.2 The Spirit of Cricket involves RESPECT for: i. Your opponents ii. Your own captain or team iii. The role of the umpires iv. The game’s traditional values 4.3 It is against the Spirit of Cricket: i. To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action, or gesture ii. To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire iii. To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance: