The ICC Cricket World Cup held recently between India and South Africa had sparked a controversy when the International Cricket Council prohibited Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to wear a pair of gloves sporting an insignia of the Indian Army. The ICC also turned down the BCCI’s (Board of Control of Cricket in India) request to allow M. S. Dhoni to wear the glove with the ‘Balidan badge’. Following this rule, the audience was seen holding banners with the same insignia, during the latest held India versus Australia match.
Keeping this into mind, let’s discuss what constitutes as a ground for disqualification of a cricket player or a team according to the ICC’s rules.
For an international cricket player representing his team and his country, Article 2 of the ICC’s Rules of Code of Conduct for Players lays down certain criteria which qualify as offences and can result in disqualification of any cricket player. The Code of Conduct offences cover a variety of different behaviours and levels of seriousness. It is not intended to penalize trivial behavior. Levels of charging have been assigned for each offence, ranging from Level 1 for conduct of a minor nature, up to Level 4 for conduct of an extremely serious nature.
The phrase “during an International Match” should be interpreted broadly to cover all conduct which takes place at the ground on the day of an International Match, and not just conduct which takes place on the field of play. It will therefore include conduct which takes place off the field of play, for example in the changing rooms, or during any of the intervals in the match. The major responsibility is ensuring fair play, apart from that following are some of the instances-
2.1 Excessive appealing during an International Match- Appealing here includes constantly requesting the umpire to announce a decision in their favour, or appealing for different decisions, advancing towards the umpire in an aggressive manner so as to put him under pressure etc
2.2 Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.- any action(s) outside the course of normal cricket actions, such as hitting or kicking the wickets and any action(s) which deliberately (i.e. intentionally), recklessly or negligently (in either case even if accidental) results in damage to the advertising boards, boundary fences, dressing room doors, mirrors, windows and other fixtures
2.3 Use of an audible obscenity during an International Match- use of words commonly known and understood to be offensive, obscene and/or profane (in any language) and which can be heard by the spectators and/or the viewing public whether by way of the stump-microphone or otherwise
2.4 Disobeying an Umpire’s instruction during an International Match- failure to comply with the Umpire’s instructions
2.5 Using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match- (a) excessive celebration directed at and in close proximity to the dismissed batter; (b) verbally abusing the dismissed batter; and (c) pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion.
2.6 Public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in an International Match or any Player, Player Support Personnel, Match Official or team participating in any International Match, irrespective of when such criticism or inappropriate comment is made.
2.7 Showing disagreement at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match- excessive, obvious disappointment with an Umpire’s decision; an obvious delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket; shaking the head; snatching the cap from the Umpire; and arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the Umpire about his/her decision
2.9 Throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match
2.10 Any of the following conduct which constitutes ‘unfair play’-
deliberate attempt to distract striker, deliberate distraction, deception or obstruction of batter, bowling of dangerous and unfair short pitched deliveries, bowling of dangerous and unfair non-pitching deliveries, bowling of deliberate non-pitching deliveries, bowling of deliberate front foot no balls, wasting time by any Player or team, fielder causing deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch, bowler running on protected area, batter causing deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch, striker in the protected area, batter stealing a run, unfair actions not covered elsewhere in clause 41 of the ICC Standard Test Match, ODI and T20I Playing Conditions.
2.11 Any attempt to manipulate an International Match for inappropriate strategic or tactical reasons
2.12 Inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match
2.13 Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match
2.14 Changing the condition of the ball in breach of the spirit of the game
2.15 Attempting to gain an unfair advantage during an International Match
2.16 Intimidation of an Umpire or Match Referee whether by language or conduct (including gestures) during an International Match
2.17 Threat of assault on another Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee or any other person (including a Spectator) during an International Match
2.18 Physical assault of another Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match
2.19 Any act of violence on the field of play during an International Match
2.20 Conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game
2.21 Conduct that brings the game into disrepute
Grounds for disqualification of a team
The offences as committed by a team are laid down in the ICC’s Playing Handbook along with some other offences mentioned in the law book of the ICC. Examples of some of them are-
-
Forgery, manipulation, tampering, manufacture or creation of false or incorrect documents for the purposes of these Regulations, including (without limitation) for the purpose of attempting to satisfy any of the eligibility criteria described in these regulations.
-
Assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, covering up, and/or any other type of complicit behaviour of any player by other members.
-
Failing to cooperate fully, promptly and in good faith with the ICC and the ICC Eligibility Bodies in the discharge of their respective responsibilities as set out in these regulations, including in relation to the player’s determination of eligibility and any subsequent monitoring.
-
Being involved in malpractices such as betting, match fixing and other related activities. This is an absolute liability and the entire team is held responsible irrespective of the fact that just one member was involved in such kind of activity.
Sources
https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/cricket/rules-and-regulations/code-of-conduct
https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/the-icc/publications/playing-handbook
https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/cricket/rules-and-regulations/playing-conditions
https://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/about
https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws
