Dorset Cricket Board

THE 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.

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.

The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:-

a/.Your opponents

b/.Your own captain

c/.The roles of the umpires

d/.The game’s traditional values

It is against the spirit of the game:-

a/. To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture.

b/. To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire.

c/. To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:

1. To appeal knowing the batsman is not out.

2. To advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing.

3. To seek to distract an opponent, either verbally or by harrassment.

In the event of a player failing to comply with the instructions from an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decision of an umpire, or 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, and instruct the latter to take action.

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. The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:-

a/. Time Wasting

b/. Damaging the pitch

c/. Dangerous and unfair bowling

d/. Tampering with the ball

e/. Any other action considered to be unfair

There is no place for any act of violence on or off 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 towards this.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

Where the umpires decide that the Code of Conduct has been broken, or an act of unfair play has occurred, they should adopt the following process:

1/. If they do not consider the incident serious enough to warrant a formal recorded warning or report, they may issue a VERBAL WARNING in their own right. Such a verbal warning may be used or mentioned in respect of any later difficulties with the same person or Club on the same day.

2/. Should the incident be considered serious enough for a FORMAL REPORT, or be aggravated by a verbal warning having been given earlier, then both the Captain and the player must be advised immediately, or as soon as is reasonably practicable, that a FORMAL REPORT will be sent to the League Management Committee.

Whilst the umpires must act together when taking this action, it is not necessary that both umpires have witnessed the offending behaviour.

On receipt of the FORMAL REPORT, the League Management Committee have the power to impose the following penalties;

Where a player, or club, is reported for an offence, notice in writing of the alleged offence, and the resultant penalty, shall be sent to the club’s secretary as soon as possible.

A player and/or club can appeal and request a personal hearing, which will be conducted by the Disciplinary Sub-Committee. Notice of an appeal, setting out the grounds, must be given in writing or by email, to the League Secretary, within 10 days of the date of the original letter sent by the League. The player and club are entitled to be legally or otherwise represented at the hearing, and to call witnesses. Legal representation shall not however be an excuse to delay the hearing. The Disciplinary Sub-Committee may confirm, vary or reverse the original decision, save that it shall not have the power to increase the penalty. However, should the Disciplinary Sub-Committee consider the appeal to be without merit, it can impose an administration fee of £50 to cover the costs of the hearing. These costs must be paid within 14 days of the hearing taking place. Failure to do so will result in the immediate suspension of any players/officials who were the subject of the original offence, until such time as payment is made.

Should the club/individual concerned not accept the decision of the DCL Disciplinary Sub-Committee, a final appeal can be made to The Dorset Cricket Board.
The final appeal can only be made on at least one of the following grounds -
The Dorset Cricket League:
(a) Failed to give the appellant a fair hearing.
(b) Misinterpreted, or failed to comply with, the rules or regulations relevant to its decision.
(c) Came to a decision, to which no reasonable such body could reach.
(d) Imposed a penalty, award, or sanction, that was excessive.
The final appeal can only be heard by the DCB if it is received within 28 days of the DCL Disciplinary hearing. The request for the final appeal must contain the full grounds of the proposed appeal and copies of any documents to be relied upon in supporting the grounds of appeal.
Where the DCB Appeals Committee hears an appeal, it shall have the power to -
(a) Allow the appeal (thereby overturning the decision appealed against and discharging the penalty originally imposed).
(b) Dismiss the appeal (thereby upholding the original decision against which the appeal was made).
(c) Dismiss the appeal in respect of the decision appealed against and impose whatever appropriate penalty it considers should be imposed (thereby either imposing a greater or lesser penalty than that originally imposed).
(d) Add to any decision which it makes by making any appropriate comments or recommendations to either or both of the parties to the appeal, for their consideration.

The League will honour the suspensions of players and clubs made by other cricket Leagues, provided that those Leagues have an established disciplinary policy. Furthermore, the League will ask for reciprocation on suspensions with other Leagues.

The Chairmen of all clubs, participating in both Saturday and Sunday competitions, are required to sign a declaration that the League Code of Conduct will be adhered to throughout their club.

Details of all individual and club bans/penalties, which result from League disciplinary action, will be published on the website.