ICC launches review into player behaviour amid concerns over on-pitch conduct

The International Cricket Council has launched a wideranging review into player behaviour after “one of the worst periods in recent memory” for the game.

In the wake of the balltampering scandal which has engulfed the Australian team in recent days, chief executive David Richardson has revealed plans to look at issues such as sledging and dissent amid growing concern over the on-pitch conduct of players.

In a statement headed “Enough is enough” published on the ICC’S official website, www.icc-cricket.com, he said: “We have seen a number of incidents of poor player behaviour in recent weeks which has included ugly sledging, send-offs, dissent against umpires’ decisions, a walk-off and ball tampering.

“This has been perhaps one of the worst periods in recent memory for consistently poor player behaviour and the global outcry in relation to the ball-tampering is a clear message to cricket: enough is enough. That is why, with the full support of the ICC Board, we will undertake a wideranging review into player behaviour, the spirit in which the game is played and the Code of Conduct.

“The spirit of cricket is precious to our sport and so intrinsically linked with good behaviour – the turn of phrase, ‘That’s just not cricket’ is not an accident. We must protect that spirit.”

The review will be conducted by the ICC’S cricket committee with the assistance of current and former players – Allan Border, Anil Kumble, Shaun Pollock and Courtney Walsh are among those likely to be involved – the MCC and match officials, and will consider the level of sanctions set out in the existing code of conduct.

Australia captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner have been handed 12-month bans by Cricket Australia for their part in the ball-tampering plot, but the ICC was able to impose only Level 2 punishments of a full match fine and a one-test ban on Smith.