SPL Formal warning procedure

Where the Umpires decide that the Code of Conduct has been broken, or an act of unfair play has taken place, but do not consider the matter serious enough to warrant a full disciplinary hearing under the England & Wales Cricket Board’s Disciplinary Model Rules, they will together informally warn the player in the presence of his Captain.  

If there is a repetition of unacceptable behaviour in that match by the same player, the Umpires will issue a formal warning to the player in the presence of his Captain and advise them that a Formal Warning has been issued. The Formal Warning will be recorded on the Result Sheet (and the Fair Play sheet), giving the player’s name and the offence committed, and be signed by the Umpires and the Player’s Captain.

In more serious cases, but when the misconduct is still considered to be minor, the Umpires may issue a formal warning without having previously issued an informal warning. 

A player receiving a total of two formal warnings during any 12 calendar month period will automatically have his case referred for disciplinary action.

The Southern Electric Premier League wishes once again to remind all players, clubs and the captains on the field of play of their responsibilities to conduct themselves in a proper manner at all times.  The Spirit of Cricket can be found in any copy of the Laws of Cricket. 

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. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsbility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

1. There are two Laws which place responsibility for the team's conduct firmly on the captain.

Responsibility of captains

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

Player's conduct

In the event of a player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decision of an umpire, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player's captain, and instruct the latter 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:

• Time wasting
• Damaging the pitch
• Dangerous or unfair bowling
• Tampering with the ball
• Any other action that they consider to be unfair

4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:

• Your opponents
• Your own captain
• The roles of the umpires
• The game's traditional values

5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:

• To dispute an umpire's decision by word, action or gesture
• To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
• To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:
  (a) to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out
  (b) to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
  (c) to 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 towards this.