Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the auspices of Wherwell Cricket Club and may be applied to cricket in general

 

1. WHERWELL CRICKET CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET

 

1.1 Code of Conduct

 

1 Wherwell Cricket Club is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct.

 

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.

 

3 Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player, visitor or a spectator.

 

4 Players and team officials shall not intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player or a spectator.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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. These laws were issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board

 

 

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.

 

Player’s 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.

 

1.2.6 Violence

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

 

1.2.7 Players

 

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.

 

1.3 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 Disciplinary Procedure and subsequent Hearing

 

1. Internal Club Enquiry

 

1. Wherwell Cricket 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 may think fit, forthwith convene an Internal Club Enquiry.

 

1. The purpose of the Internal Club Enquiry 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.

 

1. The matter will be placed before the disciplinary committee of Wherwell cricket club. The committee will consist of no less than three members

 

3 Penalties

 

1.       Any player requested to attend such an Internal Club Enquiry, or any Appeal therefrom, shall be entitled to be accompanied at the Enquiry by a friend or other representative.

 

 

2.   In any case which is referred for a Disciplinary Hearing, at least fourteen days’ notice in writing of the hearing and of the offence(s) alleged shall be given to the player or club member, or in the case of a club, its Secretary.

 

3.   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 suchorder as to costs as it deems appropriate:

 

4 Penalties

 

1If the Internal Club Enquiry finds the misconduct proved, the club shall have the

following powers:

 

2.In the case of a player:

 

3.To require the player to write letter(s) of apology within a specified time

 

4. To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.

 

5. To suspend the player’s right to be considered for selection by the club to play in one or more matches.

 

6. To suspend the player’s membership of the club for a period.

 

7. If the conduct constitutes gross misconduct the club shall have the power to terminate the player’s membership forthwith.

 

8. The club for the same offence may, if it is thought fit, impose more than one of the above penalties.

 

9. Decisions of the Disciplinary Committee (a finding that a complaint is proved or not proved or a decision on penalty) shall be by majority vote; where necessary the Panel Chairman shall have a casting vote.

 

5. Appeals Procedure

 

1 A player shall have the right of appeal to the general committee. Notice of

Appeal setting out the grounds must be given in writing to the Club Secretary.

within fourteen days of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee

.

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 is practicable.

 

3 The Appeal shall be by way of re-hearing before a different Committee. The

composition of the Committee shall be at the discretion of the Club Chairman

.

4 The Appeals Committee may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and it shall have the power to increase the penalty. Decisions of the appeal Panel shall be by majority vote; where necessary, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

 

5 The decision of the Appeals Committee or, if no appeal, of the Disciplinary

Committee shall be final and binding.

 

6 Appeals Procedure

 

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 Enquiry and of the penalty or penalties imposed.

 

2 The decision of the President or his nominee in all cases shall be final and binding.

 

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