How does the ICC Code of Conduct work in senior international matches in South Africa and involving the Proteas? Offence levels, sanctions, demerit and suspension points, reporting deadlines, charges and hearings, appeals and over-rate offences.
The ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel (effective 16 June 2023) binds every player and support staff member taking part in an international match. Offences are graded Level 1 (least serious) to Level 4:
| Offence (Article) | Levels available |
|---|---|
| Excessive appealing (2.1) | 1 |
| Abuse of equipment, clothing or ground fixtures (2.2) | 1 |
| Audible obscenity (2.3) | 1 |
| Disobeying an umpire's instruction (2.4) | 1 |
| Language, actions or gestures that disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter on dismissal (2.5) | 1 |
| Obscene, offensive or insulting gesture (2.6) | 1 |
| Public criticism of, or inappropriate comment on, a match incident or official (2.7) | 1-2 |
| Dissent at an umpire's decision (2.8) | 1-2 |
| Throwing the ball or equipment at or near someone inappropriately or dangerously (2.9) | 1-2 |
| Unfair play under clause 41, e.g. dangerous short balls or beamers, deliberate front-foot no balls, time wasting, damaging the pitch, distracting a batter (2.10) | 1-2 |
| Manipulating a match for strategic reasons (2.11) | 2 |
| Inappropriate physical contact (2.12) | 1-2 with players or staff; 3-4 with umpires or match referees |
| Personal abuse (2.13) | 2-3 (only 3 if aimed at an umpire or match referee) |
| Changing the condition of the ball (2.14) | 3 |
| Attempting to gain an unfair advantage (2.15) | 3 |
| Intimidating an umpire or match referee (2.16) | 3 |
| Threat of assault (2.17) | 3; 4 if against an umpire or match referee |
| Physical assault (2.18) | 4 |
| Act of violence on the field (2.19) | 4 |
| Conduct contrary to the spirit of the game (2.20) | 1-4 |
| Conduct that brings the game into disrepute (2.21) | 1-4 |
| Minimum over-rate offence (2.22) | Separate sanction |
Choose a sanction within the range for the level, taking into account any aggravating or mitigating factors. The sanction then sets the demerit points:
| Level | Permitted sanction | Sanction given | Demerit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warning and/or fine up to 50% of match fee | Warning or 0-25% fine | 1 |
| 26-50% fine | 2 | ||
| 2 | Fine of 50-100% of match fee, or up to 2 suspension points | 50-100% fine or 1 suspension point | 3 |
| 2 suspension points | 4 | ||
| 3 | 4 to 12 suspension points | 4-7 suspension points | 5 |
| 8-12 suspension points | 6 | ||
| 4 | 12 suspension points, or a fixed suspension from the lesser of 12 suspension points and one year, up to life | 12 suspension points | 7 |
| Fixed-period suspension | 8 |
Every sanction carries demerit points (see the sanctions table). They stay on the player's record for 24 months and are then wiped. The ICC Cricket Operations Department keeps the record and adds each new total to any points from the previous 24 months.
When a player first crosses these totals, the demerit points convert into suspension points:
| Demerit points within 24 months | Suspension points |
|---|---|
| 4-7 | 2 |
| 8-11 | 4 |
| 12-15 | 6 |
| 16 or more | 8 |
What a suspension point is worth:
So 2 suspension points is one Test, or two ODIs or T20Is. The suspension points are applied, in date order straight after the decision, to the internationals the player is most likely to play in, judged from the formats they've played over the previous two years (you can consult the ICC on this). If one of those matches is cancelled before its scheduled day, the points move to the next likely match.
Suspensions from accumulated demerit points take effect immediately once the player is notified. Over-rate offences carry no demerit points.
Example from the Code: a player gets 2 demerit points for a Level 1 offence, then 4 for a Level 2 offence within three months: 6 points in total, which converts to 2 suspension points (one Test, or two ODIs or T20Is).
A report (Form "Rep 1", signed and dated) can be lodged by:
Latest deadlines (reports should be lodged as soon as reasonably practicable):
| Reporter | Level 1-2 on field | Level 1-2 off field, and Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umpire | 24 hours from close of play, to you | 48 hours, to you | 7 days after the match, to ICC General Counsel |
| Federation CEO | 48 hours from close of play, to you | 96 hours, to you | 7 days after the match, to ICC General Counsel |
| ICC Chief Executive | 7 days after it's brought to their attention, to you | Same | 7 days after it's brought to their attention, to ICC General Counsel |
| Match referee | 48 hours, to ICC General Counsel | 48 hours, to ICC General Counsel | 7 days after the match |
The 48- and 96-hour limits run from the offence or from when it was brought to the reporter's attention, but never later than 7 days after the match. If a report can't practically be given to you, it goes to the ICC Cricket Operations Department within the same deadline.
Over-rate offences can only be reported by the umpires, within 18 hours of the close of play or before the next day's play.
For a Level 1, 2 or 3 report (or an over-rate report):
A separate report is filed for each offence alleged, but only one report per offence, even if the conduct could fit more than one article.
Level 4 reports go to the ICC General Counsel, not you. The ICC reviews whether the type and level are right; if not, the reporter has 24 hours to revise, proceed or withdraw it. The Notice of Charge then also goes to the CEO of the player's national federation, and any hearing is before a Judicial Commissioner.
You hear Level 1, 2 and 3 offences and over-rate offences. Level 4 offences go to a Judicial Commissioner.
Timing and place: the hearing is at the time in the Notice of Charge, as soon as practicable and, barring exceptional circumstances, no more than 36 hours after the player receives the notice, in the country where the offence happened. It can be held while the match is still going on. If you're not at the venue, it's held by phone or video.
Procedure: it's at your discretion, as long as the player has a fair chance to present evidence (including calling and questioning witnesses), address you and make their case. Hearings are in English. Video evidence may be used, and every party can comment on it. The player may bring a representative, including a lawyer. If the player doesn't attend, you can proceed without them.
Standard of proof: you must be comfortably satisfied that the offence was committed, bearing in mind how serious it is: from a balance of probabilities for the least serious offences up to beyond reasonable doubt for the most serious. Rules of evidence don't bind you; facts can be shown by any reliable means. You may draw an adverse inference if the player refuses without good reason to attend or answer questions.
If the player denies the charge: adjourn for 10 minutes to 24 hours, then announce your finding. If guilty, the player may have up to 30 minutes to prepare submissions on sanction.
Decision: announce its substance within 24 hours, and issue a written, reasoned decision within 5 days (finding, sanctions, start date of any suspension, rights of appeal) to the player, their national federation's CEO and the ICC.
Level 1: no. A match referee's decision on a Level 1 offence is final and can't be appealed.
Level 2, Level 3 and over-rate offences: yes.
A team that misses the minimum over rate set in the ICC playing conditions commits a Minimum Over Rate Offence (Article 2.22). Intent to waste time doesn't need to be shown; the team avoids liability only by showing, on the balance of probabilities, that the shortfall was beyond its control and the time allowances weren't enough.
Process (Appendix 2):
Exemptions: in Tests, an innings bowled out in 80 overs or fewer (rate not exceeded) is left out of the calculation, and there's no sanction if the opposition is bowled out twice in 160 overs or fewer or the side bowls no more than 80 overs in the match. In ODIs and T20Is there's no sanction if the batting side is bowled out within the time allowed for the innings.
Sanction: each of the 11 players in the fielding side is fined 5% of their match fee per over short, capped at 50%. No demerit points apply. In Tests, the shortfall also costs World Test Championship points.