As a lifelong lover of the game and a member of the ‘old school’, I am becoming increasingly disillusioned with the standards of behaviour I am witnessing on the recreational cricket field.
Such behaviour, in total contradiction to Law 42, seems to be increasingly accepted by umpires who appear reluctant to enforce the sanctions afforded.
I have taken the opportunity to canvass experienced and respected local umpires from both the Southern and Sussex Premier Leagues, who all support my view and agree that standards of behaviour are fast declining and it is time for action to reverse this unwelcome trend.
When the 2000 Code of Laws was introduced, it included, for the first time, a Preamble on 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.
Indeed, in 2013 the Marylebone Cricket Club inaugurated a Spirit of Cricket Award in memory of the late Christopher Martin-Jenkins. I hate to think what his opinion might have been regarding some the incidents I have had the misfortune to see this season.
From the boundary edge, Level 1 offences appear to be the norm. As a long established cricket writer covering numerous games at all levels, I have not yet seen umpires instigate Level 1 procedures and am unaware of any instances where persistent violation of Law 42 has resulted in a 5 run penalty.
Two weeks ago, I watched a pretty one-sided ECB Premier Division match, sadly tinged by the excessive appealing from the fielding side and general OTT decibel level emanating from the field of play.
A fielder at ‘third man’ shouted and screamed for lbw’s (despite being a good 60 yards away from the stumps), a repeatedly noisy team-mate stood within a matter of yards of the square-leg umpire, arms waving, screaming, jumping up and down, when the wicketkeeper claimed a stumping (which was declined). The umpires declined to yield under the pressure. The ‘boundaries’ were being pushed all the way. The captain did not control the situation.
Intimidate
From a personal viewpoint, matters came to a head when I attended a national cup tie last weekend. It was with very much regret that I noted the following –
Level 1 – dissent at an umpire’s decision. Appealing excessively. Advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing. Using obscene language.
Level 2 – serious dissent at an umpire’s decision by word and action. Throwing the ball into the pitch when an appeal was declined. Basically, the fielding team attempting to intimidate the umpires into giving a decision in their favour.
As a sports writer with the best interests of the game at heart, I strongly believe the time has arrived to introduce a card system as in hockey, a sport I enjoy reporting during the winter and where umpires are treated with respect.
A green card for the first Level 1 offence, yellow card for a second Level 1 or a Level 2 offence incurring 5 penalty runs. Red card for a Level 3 offence, 5 penalty runs etc.
I suspect many cricket umpires are reluctant to implement sanctions where subsequent post match reports are required. These could be limited to Level 3 & 4 offences with just a basic recording of Level 1 and Level 2 offences when they occur. Immediate on-field action after consultation between the umpires, conveyed to the captain of the offending side and evidenced by the display of the appropriate card would quickly deter persistent offenders.
Last weekend, a 5-run penalty or penalties would have had a significant effect on what was a low scoring affair.
The time has come for the cricketing authorities to stop burying their heads in the sand, paying lip service to the Laws and start implementing them.
I am a great believer in upholding standards and if this message does not become part of the DNA of the young cricketers being introduced to the game I fear for its future.
Mike Vimpany, Sports Writer.
Such behaviour, in total contradiction to Law 42, seems to be increasingly accepted by umpires who appear reluctant to enforce the sanctions afforded.
I have taken the opportunity to canvass experienced and respected local umpires from both the Southern and Sussex Premier Leagues, who all support my view and agree that standards of behaviour are fast declining and it is time for action to reverse this unwelcome trend.
When the 2000 Code of Laws was introduced, it included, for the first time, a Preamble on 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.
Indeed, in 2013 the Marylebone Cricket Club inaugurated a Spirit of Cricket Award in memory of the late Christopher Martin-Jenkins. I hate to think what his opinion might have been regarding some the incidents I have had the misfortune to see this season.
From the boundary edge, Level 1 offences appear to be the norm. As a long established cricket writer covering numerous games at all levels, I have not yet seen umpires instigate Level 1 procedures and am unaware of any instances where persistent violation of Law 42 has resulted in a 5 run penalty.
Two weeks ago, I watched a pretty one-sided ECB Premier Division match, sadly tinged by the excessive appealing from the fielding side and general OTT decibel level emanating from the field of play.
A fielder at ‘third man’ shouted and screamed for lbw’s (despite being a good 60 yards away from the stumps), a repeatedly noisy team-mate stood within a matter of yards of the square-leg umpire, arms waving, screaming, jumping up and down, when the wicketkeeper claimed a stumping (which was declined). The umpires declined to yield under the pressure. The ‘boundaries’ were being pushed all the way. The captain did not control the situation.
Intimidate
From a personal viewpoint, matters came to a head when I attended a national cup tie last weekend. It was with very much regret that I noted the following –
Level 1 – dissent at an umpire’s decision. Appealing excessively. Advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing. Using obscene language.
Level 2 – serious dissent at an umpire’s decision by word and action. Throwing the ball into the pitch when an appeal was declined. Basically, the fielding team attempting to intimidate the umpires into giving a decision in their favour.
As a sports writer with the best interests of the game at heart, I strongly believe the time has arrived to introduce a card system as in hockey, a sport I enjoy reporting during the winter and where umpires are treated with respect.
A green card for the first Level 1 offence, yellow card for a second Level 1 or a Level 2 offence incurring 5 penalty runs. Red card for a Level 3 offence, 5 penalty runs etc.
I suspect many cricket umpires are reluctant to implement sanctions where subsequent post match reports are required. These could be limited to Level 3 & 4 offences with just a basic recording of Level 1 and Level 2 offences when they occur. Immediate on-field action after consultation between the umpires, conveyed to the captain of the offending side and evidenced by the display of the appropriate card would quickly deter persistent offenders.
Last weekend, a 5-run penalty or penalties would have had a significant effect on what was a low scoring affair.
The time has come for the cricketing authorities to stop burying their heads in the sand, paying lip service to the Laws and start implementing them.
I am a great believer in upholding standards and if this message does not become part of the DNA of the young cricketers being introduced to the game I fear for its future.
Mike Vimpany, Sports Writer.
