What do I do about unacceptable player conduct (Levels 1 to 4)?

Under Law 42 of the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026), if either umpire considers a player's conduct unacceptable they call and signal Dead ball (the call may be delayed until it will not disadvantage the non-offending side), report to the other umpire, and together decide whether misconduct occurred and at which Level. If the offender is a batter, the umpires summon that player's captain to the field.

• Level 1 (for example showing dissent at a decision, offensive language, an obscene gesture, excessive appealing, wilfully mistreating the ground or equipment): the first offence by the team brings a first and final warning to the captain that applies to all team members for the rest of the match. Any later offence by that team brings 5 Penalty runs to the opposition.
• Level 2 (for example serious dissent, deliberate physical contact with a player, dangerously throwing the ball at a person, seriously insulting language): 5 Penalty runs to the opposition and a warning that any future Level 1 offence by the team means 5 more.
• Level 3 (intimidating an umpire, or threatening to assault a player or other person except an umpire): the player is removed from the field, for 10 overs in a match not limited by overs, or one fifth of the innings' overs in a limited-overs match (a part over counts as a whole over), plus 5 Penalty runs, and the offence is signalled to the scorers.
• Level 4 (threatening or making deliberate physical contact with an umpire, assaulting anyone, any other act of violence): the player is removed for the rest of the match, recorded as "Retired - out" where relevant, plus 5 Penalty runs, and the offence is signalled to the scorers.

If a captain refuses to remove a player under a Level 3 or 4 direction, you invoke Law 16.3 (umpires awarding a match). Time lost counts as lost playing time and the close of play is extended (Law 42.1.6).