Australia clamp down on bad behaviour

Australia's cricketers donated sledging to the world, but patience with the practice has worn out and the powers that be Down Under have decided that it's time for an image change. Some tough penalties will be in place for the new season following discussions this week between Cricket Australia (CA) and players at first-class and national level.

Pressure for an attitude and administrative change came after the clash in the West Indies between Glenn McGrath and Ramnaresh Sarwan. Sponsors, spectators and parents signalled to CA that enough was enough. Now, some severe penalties will be in place. Specific areas for improvement are: code of behaviour, racial and religious vilification, drugs, and harassment.

The new stance is intended to strengthen and protect the Spirit of Cricket. CA believes that cricket's appeal to fans and participants is closely related to the values that are firmly entrenched in the game, whether it be at international or local level. As a result, the formal strategy includes a wide range of initiatives designed to help create an environment in which the game's values can be upheld.

This includes working with State and Territory cricket associations to educate the cricket community on codes and policies which enforce these.

Michael Brown, CA's operations manager, said: "We have given our players a clear definition of what is required. We are limited to Test and domestic players, but ultimately you would like to think that local teams will adopt our guidelines. But that's an evolution-of-time issue."

The worst breaches of the new policy have been defined as "Assault and racial and religious vilification". This will be punishable by a ban of between five multi-day matches and/or 10 one-day matches, and a life ban.

The next level involves the use of language or gestures that offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin. Offences proven at this level will attract bans of between two and four multi-day matches and/or between four and eight one-day matches.

Showing serious dissent at an umpire's decision, engaging in physical contact with other players or officials, charging toward the umpire when appealing or throwing the ball near a player or official will result in a fine between half and the full match fee and/or a ban of between one and two multi-day matches and/or two and four one-day matches.

Level one offences include abusing cricket equipment or clothing, showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse, using obscene language, appealing excessively or celebrating a dismissal before a decision, and pointing the dismissed batsman to the pavilion. These types of offences will be punishable by an official reprimand and/or a fine up to 50% of the match fee, or a suspended ban of up to one multi-day match and/or two one-day matches.