ICC Chief Executive: ICC Executive Board decision is affirmation of Spirit of Cricket

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed believes the ICC Executive Board's decision to preserve the primacy of the on-field umpires can be used to build on the sport's already-high reputation for sportsmanship.

And he called upon all the game's stakeholders to use it as a launch pad towards a renewed emphasis on the Spirit of Cricket.

At its meeting last week the ICC Executive Board decided against a trial that would have allowed players a limited number of appeals to the third umpire if those players believed the on-field official had made a mistake.

Instead, it opted to retain faith in one of cricket's key elements, that the verdict of the umpire is always final.

Commenting on that decision during his speech to the ICC's Business Forum at Lord's, Mr Speed said: "The Board has sent an important message to players from the international arena to grass the roots, that cricket values its traditions, especially fair play and respect for umpires.

"That is the true Spirit of Cricket and at the ICC we will use the decision as a launching pad for a new push to have players at all levels respect the traditions and values of the game.

"I call on all players to take this opportunity to confirm their respect for the Spirit of the game and support the umpires, not with words but with actions.

"Cricket's reputation is built on its values and can be proud of the generally high level of respect shown by current players towards the match officials and their opponents.

"But wouldn't it be great if cricket could build on this still further so that cricket can increase its reputation as the most noble of games? And that could happen if even more players could embody the sport's traditions by walking, by accepting the word of the fielder on disputed catches and by showing greater respect for their opponents and the umpires.

"We don't want the next generation of cricketers - who are taking guard for the first time in schools and clubs around the world - to think that walking is a sign of weakness, that intimidating appealing is acceptable or that it is fashionable to dispute an umpire's decision.

"Cricket's historic values and spirit demand that it continues to rise above these evils and to stamp out gratuitous swearing, intimidation and deception," he added.

Mr Speed said that, in the wake of the Executive Board's decision, it was now time for all the game's stakeholders to support umpires as they look to perform a difficult role under intense scrutiny.

"It is not just the players that should take heed of this decision (to reject the additional use of technology). Administrators, broadcasters, the media and the public at large should (also) consider the Spirit of Cricket," he said.

"Those that love cricket must accept that our umpires are trying as hard as possible to make great decisions. These officials have reached the top because they have shown they are the world's best but they will still make mistakes.

"Despite this, they will still make fewer (mistakes) than you or I or any of the thousands of committed officials that will serve the sport so well through the domestic sporting pyramid.

"When they do (and on the basis of this decision by the Executive Board) it is our duty to accept it. It is part of the fabric of the game," he added.