The new head of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has written to the captains of the 10 test-playing nations calling on them to help in a clampdown on player indiscipline.
Malcolm Speed, who took over as ICC chief executive earlier this month, has also contacted top international umpires and match referees, urging them to take a ``tougher line’’ in disciplining players.
Speed told a press conference at Lord’s on Wednesday that his letter warned of: ``a number of incidents in matches over the past 12 months that have fallen below an acceptable standard…it is time to ensure that all of us charged with protecting the reputation of our great game meet the high standards expected.‘’
He said that, although he appreciated that the international game was fiercely competitive and played for increasingly high stakes, the image of cricket was being tarnished by on-field clashes.
Speed said he had serious concern'' in particular about clear dissent for umpires’ decisions and players charging umpires in an aggressive fashion.‘’
Things came to a head in England’s tour of Sri Lanka at the start of the year, when players from both sides were fined and given suspended bans after a string of incidents, often stemming from controversial umpiring decisions.
England player Michael Atherton later said it was the most unpleasant series he had ever played in.
In another high-profile recent incident, Australian Michael Slater also received a suspended ban after claiming a catch off Rahul Dravid in the three-test series in India, then confronting the batsman after the appeal was turned down.
When it was put to Speed that no player had ever been suspended from test cricket for bad behaviour, he said: ``I’m not dredging up past incidents. My focus is on the future.‘’
Speed said his other priorities would include player safety – an issue highlighted by crowd invasions during a triangular series involving England, Australia and Pakistan in June – and the establishing of elite panels of umpires and match referees as already agreed by the ICC.