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 the 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. The Laws of Cricket
There are two Laws, which place the responsibility for the team's conduct firmly on the Captain.
Law 42.1 makes the captains responsible at all times, for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.
Law 42.18 stipulates that in the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising his decisions by word or action, showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall report the matter to the other umpire and thereafter shall instruct the player's captain to take action.
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.
3 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 that they consider to be unfair
4  The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for :-
a) Your opponents
b) Your own captain and team
c) The role of the umpires
d) The game's traditional values
5 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
i)  appeal knowing the batsman is not out
ii) advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
iii)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
6 Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.
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.

Return to INDEX