Australia and South Africa hit back at ICC

Australia and South Africa's boards have both leapt to the defence of their players after the ICC singled out the teams in a warning they issued about inflammatory remarks. On Sunday the ICC called for players to cut down on their verbal sparring or risk disciplinary action, with its head Malcolm Speed specifically referring to the upcoming series between Australia and South Africa.

"Unfortunately, since the Ashes there has been a spate of code of conduct offences committed by players which have resulted in a series of penalties being applied, including suspension," Speed said. "There have also been a series of comments by players and former players ahead of the Australia v South Africa series that I believe make it necessary to remind the players of the importance of playing within the spirit of the game ahead of this series."

It is presumed that what prompted the ICC to target the upcoming series is Graeme Smith's comments about targeting Australia's middle order. "Australia's top three batsmen are their strength, so being able to knock them over is important. That exposes their middle order, which has experienced pressure in domestic cricket but maybe not in Tests [as much]. If we get things right, we will be putting Adam Gilchrist under pressure at No.7 too." Shane Warne later sledged that South Africa "might need [a psychologist] by the time we've finished with them."

But whatever it was that prompted the ICC to single out the series, the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) have fired a broadside, saying that the comments are unwarranted and demeaning to the players.

"This South African team plays hard and fair and is full of experienced cricketers who have for years conducted themselves in line with the spirit of cricket" said Tony Irish, the SACA's chief executive, in a statement. "Australian players have done likewise.

"I am amazed that the ICC sees fit to warn players, and even past players, in the media. If there are genuine concerns that players may offend the spirit of the game then this should be taken up with them directly and not in the form of a public lecture. Everyone is looking forward to the heat of the rivalry which accompanies a series between South Africa and Australia. The verbal exchanges are a part of this and they simply add to the build up."

Cricket Australia told The Age newspaper that in fact it had nothing but praise for its players' conduct since the introduction of the spirit of cricket code which they committed to two years ago.

"The banter that goes with the game, that's fine, that will always be part of the game," said the board's spokesman, Peter Young. "Clearly, there is no love lost between Australia and South Africa but there is no love lost between most sides and that's fine as long as they get the balance right.

"During the Ashes, a lot of words were exchanged but the series was played in a competitive and sportsmanlike spirit. The exhortation to our players it to play the game hard but fair, and by and large, we think they're getting that right. There will always be the odd bad day and the odd mishap because of the nature of the game ... and because they are red-blooded human beings."

James Sutherland, the board's chief executive, said that there was no harm in banter between the players. "Cricket needs personalities in the game, there is no doubt about that. Characters add an air of excitement and individuality, which attracts and engages the public's interest."

Irish went on to say that the ICC should be concentrating its efforts on Zimbabwe instead. "It is also difficult to understand why the ICC has chosen to publicly focus on the conduct of players at a time when there appear to be serious problems with the conduct of certain administrators from Boards affiliated to the ICC. In Zimbabwe cricket is in tatters. Surely we should instead be hearing the ICC's voice in relation to the standards and behaviour of those administering the game in that country?"

His comments echo those made by Tim May earlier this week. May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations, backed Malcolm Speed's call for everyone to support the ideals of the Spirit of Cricket - but also criticised the ICC's inaction over the crisis in Zimbabwe. He said: "Players, particularly those in Zimbabwe, or those forced to play there, will find it difficult to fully accept Speed's call when the ICC has not seen the need to intervene, or been unable to investigate, serious allegations about the games administration."

The ICC's latest comments have also prompted criticism from former Australia team-mates Jeff Thomson and Terry Alderman. "You have got to have a bit of gamesmanship, that is what it is all about," Thomson argued earlier this week. "It's highlighting things that aren't worth highlighting. They are the biggest bullshitters in the world. What a waste of space."

Alderman added: "They are putting the cart before the horse, they are almost saying there is going to be problems because of what has been written and said by players. Well, that is ridiculous. Let the game be for goodness' sake."