THE LAWS OF CRICKET 2017 CODE (2nd edition – 2019)

© Marylebone Cricket Club

LAW 42 PLAYERS’ CONDUCT

42.1 Unacceptable conduct

• 42.1.1 The umpires shall act upon any unacceptable conduct. Four Levels of offence and the corresponding actions by the umpires are identified as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 offences in 42.2 to 42.5.
• 42.1.2 If either umpire considers that the conduct of a player, at any time during the match, is unacceptable, the umpire concerned shall call and signal Dead ball. This call may be delayed until the umpire is satisfied that it will not disadvantage the non-offending side.
• 42.1.3 The umpire concerned shall report the matter to the other umpire and together they shall decide whether misconduct has occurred. If so, they shall determine into  which of the Levels the conduct falls, as set out in 42.2 to 42.5 below, and then apply the related sanctions.
• 42.1.4 For each Level 1 to 4, if the offence is by a batsman, the umpires shall summon the offending player’s captain to the field. Solely for the purpose of this Law, the batsmen at the wicket may not deputise for their captain
• 42.1.5 For each Level 1 to 4,
  • Playing time shall be counted as lost from the call of Time to the call of Play, excluding intervals (Law 11) and suspensions of play (Law 2.8).
  • the time for close of play on that day shall be extended by this length of time.
  • if applicable, no overs shall be deducted during the last hour of the match solely on account of this time.

42.2 Level 1 offences and action by umpires

• 42.2.1 Any of the following actions by a player shall constitute a Level 1 offence:
  • wilfully mistreating any part of the cricket ground, equipment or implements used in the match
  • showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action
  • using language that, in the circumstances, is obscene, offensive or insulting
  • making an obscene gesture
  • appealing excessively
  • advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
  • any other misconduct, the nature of which is, in the opinion of the umpires, equivalent to a Level 1 offence.
• 42.2.2 If such an offence is committed, 42.2.2.1 to 42.2.2.6 shall be implemented as appropriate, according to whether or not it is the first offence at any Level.
  • 42.2.2.1 The umpire shall call Time, if necessary.
  • 42.2.2.2 Together the umpires shall summon and inform the offending player’s captain that an offence at this Level has occurred.
  • 42.2.2.3 If the Level 1 offence is the first offence, at any Level, by that team, the umpire shall
    • 42.2.2.3.1 issue a first and final warning which shall apply to all members of the team for the remainder of the match.
    • 42.2.2.3.2 warn the offending player’s captain that any further Level 1 offence by any member of his/her team shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
  • 42.2.2.4 If the Level 1 offence follows an offence, at any Level, by that team, the umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
  • 42.2.2.5 As soon as practicable the umpire shall call Play.
  • 42.2.2.6 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending player’s team and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such further action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.

42.3 Level 2 offences and action by umpires

• 42.3.1 Any of the following actions by a player shall constitute a Level 2 offence:
  • showing serious dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action
  • making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with another player
  • throwing the ball at a player, umpire or another person in an inappropriate and dangerous manner
  • using language or gesture to another player, umpire, team official or spectator that, in the circumstances, is obscene or of a seriously insulting nature
  • or any other misconduct, the nature of which is, in the opinion of the umpires, equivalent to a Level 2 offence.
• 42.3.2 If such an offence is committed, 42.3.2.1 to 42.3.2.6 shall be implemented.
  • 42.3.2.1 The umpire shall call Time, if necessary.
  • 42.3.2.2 Together the umpires shall summon and inform the offending player’s captain that an offence at this Level has occurred.
  • 42.3.2.3 The umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
  • 42.3.2.4 The umpire shall warn the offending player’s captain that any future Level 1 offence by any member of his/her team shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
  • 42.3.2.5 As soon as practicable the Umpire shall call Play.
  • 42.3.2.6 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending player’s team and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such further action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.

42.4 Level 3 offences and action by umpires

• 42.4.1 Either of the following actions by a player shall constitute a Level 3 offence:
  • intimidating an umpire by language or gesture
  • threatening to assault a player or any other person except an umpire. See 42.5.1.
• 42.4.2 If such an offence is committed, 42.4.2.1 to 42.4.2.8 shall be implemented.
  • 42.4.2.1 The umpire shall call Time, if necessary.
  • 42.4.2.2 Together the umpires shall summon and inform the offending player’s captain that an offence at this Level has occurred.
  • 42.4.2.3 The umpires shall direct the captain to remove the offending player immediately from the field of play for a period in accordance with the following:
    • 42.4.2.3.1 In a match where the innings are not limited to a number of overs, the player shall be suspended from the field of play for 10 overs. Any balls remaining in the over in progress at the time of suspension shall not count towards the overs for which the player is suspended.
    • 42.4.2.3.2 In a match where the innings are limited to a number of overs, the player shall be suspended for one fifth of the number of overs allocated to the current innings at its commencement. If, in calculating the length of the suspension, a part-over results, it shall be considered as a whole over. Any balls remaining in the over in progress at the time of suspension shall not count towards the overs for which the player is suspended.
    • 42.4.2.3.3 If the offending player is a fielder, no substitute shall be allowed for him/her. The offending player may return to the field of play after serving the period of suspension and may bowl immediately.
    • 42.4.2.3.4 If a bowler is suspended mid-over, then that over must be completed by a different bowler, who shall not have bowled the previous over nor shall he/she bowl the next over.
    • 42.4.2.3.5 If the offending player is a not out batsman, he/she shall be replaced by another member of his/her team. The offending player may return to bat after having served the suspension only at the fall of a wicket. If no batsman is available to bat during a batsman’s suspension, the innings is completed. If the offending player does not continue his/her innings for whatever reason, he/she is to be recorded as Retired – not out.
    • 42.4.2.3.6 If the offending player is a dismissed member of the batting side, the period of suspension will not commence until the start of the next innings. Furthermore, in these circumstances, the offending player may not act as a runner during the innings when he/she was suspended.
    • 42.4.2.3.7 Warn the offending player’s captain that any future Level 1 offence shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
    • 42.4.2.3.8 Any overs remaining to be served from a suspension shall be carried forward to the next and subsequent innings of the match. A part over at the end of the innings shall not count towards the overs for which the player is suspended.
  • 42.4.2.4 As soon as practicable, the umpire shall
    • award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team
    • signal the Level 3 penalty to the scorers
    • call Play.
  • 42.4.2.5 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending player’s team and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such further action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.

42.5 Level 4 offences and action by umpires

• 42.5.1 Any of the following actions by a player shall constitute a Level 4 offence:
  • threatening to assault an umpire
  • making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire
  • physically assaulting a player or any other person
  • committing any other act of violence.
• 42.5.2 If such an offence is committed, 42.5.2.1 to 42.5.2.5 shall be implemented.
  • 42.5.2.1 The umpire shall call Time, if necessary.
  • 42.5.2.2 Together the umpires shall summon and inform the offending player’s captain that an offence at this Level has occurred.
  • 42.5.2.3 The umpires shall direct the captain to remove the offending player immediately from the field of play for the remainder of the match and shall apply the following:
    • 42.5.2.3.1 If the offending player is a fielder, no substitute shall be allowed for him/her. He/She is to be recorded as Retired – out at the commencement of any subsequent innings in which his/her team is the batting side.
    • 42.5.2.3.2 If a bowler is suspended mid-over, then that over must be completed by a different bowler, who shall not have bowled the previous over nor shall be permitted to bowl the next over.
    • 42.5.2.3.3 If the offending player is a batsman he/she is to be recorded as Retired – out in the current innings, unless he/she has been dismissed under any of Laws 32 to 39, and at the commencement of any subsequent innings in which his/her team is the batting side. If  no further batsman is available to bat, the innings is completed.
    • 42.5.2.3.4 Warn the offending player’s captain that any future Level 1 offence shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
  • 42.5.2.4 As soon as practicable, the umpire shall
    • award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team
    • signal the Level 4 penalty to the scorers
    • call Play.
  • 42.5.2.5 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending player’s team and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such further action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.

42.6 Captain refusing to remove a player from the field

• 42.6.1 If a captain refuses to carry out an instruction under 42.4.2.3 or 42.5.2.3, the umpires shall invoke Law 16.3 (Umpires awarding a match).
• 42.6.2 If both captains refuse to carry out instructions under 42.4.2.3 or 42.5.2.3 in respect of the same incident, the umpires shall instruct the players to leave the field. The match is not concluded as in Law 12.9 (Conclusion of match) and there shall be no result under Law 16 (The result).

42.7 Additional points relating to Level 3 and Level 4 offences

• 42.7.1 If a player, while acting as wicket-keeper, commits a Level 3 or Level 4 offence, Law 24.1.2 (Substitute fielders) shall not apply, meaning that only a nominated player may act as wicket-keeper, even if another fielder becomes injured or ill and is replaced by a substitute.
• 42.7.2 A nominated player who has a substitute or has a runner will suffer a penalty for any Level 3 or Level 4 offence committed by that substitute or by that runner.
  • 42.7.2.1 When the offence is committed by a substitute, the nominated player and substitute will each suffer the penalty defined in 42.4.2.3 or in 42.5.2.3 as appropriate. Only the substitute will be reported as in 42.4.2.5 or 42.5.2.5.
  • 42.7.2.2 When the offence is committed by a runner, the batsman who has the runner and the runner will each suffer the penalty defined in 42.4.2.3 or in 42.5.2.3 as appropriate. The penalty for a Level 4 offence (42.5.2.3) will apply to the  runner for the remainder of the match, but in only the current innings to the batsman for whom the runner acted.