Point deductions, coupled with far stiffer disciplinary action against offenders, are among stricter measures being considered for introduction in the ECB Southern Premier League cricket next season as league administrators bid to curb increased bad behaviour blighting the game
The Premier League has announced that the number of unacceptable on-field conduct cases it has dealt with this season has more than doubled from last year, with almost 40 occurrences of players so far being disciplined – with three cricketers handed multiple punishments.
This year, disciplinary action has included three players cited in one match, three in a different game – and then the same trio of offenders in another Premier Division fixture.
Three captains are among the players to have been suspended, which includes former New Milton skipper James Park, who (subject to appeal) has recently been banned for a whopping eight matches, which will keep him out of competitive cricket until June at the earliest next summer.
Park, who led New Milton to the Division 1 championship last summer, is no longer involved with the Green & Golds.
Over-worked Premier League Disciplinary chairman Steve Vear complained: “The level of abuse and extra stress put on umpires this year has not been acceptable.
“The workload for the league disciplinary committee and the clubs involved is unacceptable – players simply need to behave better.
“As a consequence, the SPL is actively considering several measures for the 2017 season, which include a revised and more severe sentencing framework and deduction of points for clubs when their players are banned.”
Mr Vear revealed that the SPL had so far dealt with 15 separate ‘dissent’ cases, the majority of which were directed at members of the South Coast Panel of Officials, who umpire all Premier League matches.
Two of the three captains banned were punished for failing to control members of their own side in heated situations.
He pointed out: “The Spirit of Cricket preamble to the Laws of Cricket clearly outlines the responsibilities of a captain and there have been several examples of this not happening.
“Without exception, players should accept the on-field decisions made by the umpires with good grace, whether they agree or not.
“Players should not overtly question an umpire's decision by word or action. This is dissent.
“A captain has a right to engage with umpires, but this should always be done in a respectfully manner and must not be confrontational.”
The Premier League has announced that the number of unacceptable on-field conduct cases it has dealt with this season has more than doubled from last year, with almost 40 occurrences of players so far being disciplined – with three cricketers handed multiple punishments.
This year, disciplinary action has included three players cited in one match, three in a different game – and then the same trio of offenders in another Premier Division fixture.
Three captains are among the players to have been suspended, which includes former New Milton skipper James Park, who (subject to appeal) has recently been banned for a whopping eight matches, which will keep him out of competitive cricket until June at the earliest next summer.
Park, who led New Milton to the Division 1 championship last summer, is no longer involved with the Green & Golds.
Over-worked Premier League Disciplinary chairman Steve Vear complained: “The level of abuse and extra stress put on umpires this year has not been acceptable.
“The workload for the league disciplinary committee and the clubs involved is unacceptable – players simply need to behave better.
“As a consequence, the SPL is actively considering several measures for the 2017 season, which include a revised and more severe sentencing framework and deduction of points for clubs when their players are banned.”
Mr Vear revealed that the SPL had so far dealt with 15 separate ‘dissent’ cases, the majority of which were directed at members of the South Coast Panel of Officials, who umpire all Premier League matches.
Two of the three captains banned were punished for failing to control members of their own side in heated situations.
He pointed out: “The Spirit of Cricket preamble to the Laws of Cricket clearly outlines the responsibilities of a captain and there have been several examples of this not happening.
“Without exception, players should accept the on-field decisions made by the umpires with good grace, whether they agree or not.
“Players should not overtly question an umpire's decision by word or action. This is dissent.
“A captain has a right to engage with umpires, but this should always be done in a respectfully manner and must not be confrontational.”
