The ICC Cricket Committee, which assembled in Mumbai for a two-day meeting to discuss several reforms, opined that the match officials should have more authority during a game to improve player behaviour.
The move comes with the on-field behaviour of players coming under scrutiny in recent times. The penalties for ball-tampering was also discussed and it was agreed that stricter punishments need to be put in place.
The Cricket Committee recommended giving greater authority and support to match officials, creating a Code of Respect, advocated for the match referee to have the authority to downgrade or upgrade a level of offence of sanction, apart from having greater leadership accountability for Member Boards and team support staff. The committee, which is headed by format India captain Anil Kumble, also sought clear expectations for the treatment of visiting teams particularly around practice facilities, warm-up matches and logistical arrangements and greater education for all young players on the history and spirit of the game.
“We had an excellent discussion around the issue of player behaviour and I’d like to thank Mike Gatting and David Boon for joining us and making valuable contributions,” Kumble revealed after the conclusion on Tuesday (May 29).
“The Committee echoed the sentiments of the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee and the ICC Board, and, as such, we have made a series of recommendations as part of the creation of a culture of respect we can all adhere to.
“The group felt that excessive personal abuse and ball tampering were serious offences in the game and that should be reflected in the way in which they are dealt with. There was also strong support for giving the match officials more authority and subsequently greater support around their decision making.”
Toss must remain in Tests
The committee also introspected the prevailing problem of home teams doctoring pitches and discussed the possibilities of scrapping the coin toss in order to negate the pitch disadvantage by giving the visiting team the choice to decide. The committee, however, felt the toss remained “an integral part of Test cricket’s narrative.”
The ICC paper, in the past, recommended that in order to offset preparation of poor pitches, World Championship points could be awarded to the visitors in the event of a match abandonment due to a bad pitch.
The committee also proposed having a reserve day for matches in the ICC Test Championship to make up for the lost time if there are interruptions.
