Strengthened code still not having desired effect

Umpires and referees have not achieved the consistency that the International Cricket Council (ICC) wanted of them in implementing the new code of conduct last year. Malcolm Speed, chief executive of the ICC, commented in the annual report that the idea was to make the code clearly and more consistently tougher and fairer.

"In the course of the year, I have not been entirely happy with its implementation by the umpires and referees. This is an area where we are continuing to work with them, as a consistent approach is essential to earning respect for both the Code and the officials. It is important that cricket fans throughout the world know that the highest standards of player behaviour will be enforced by the umpires in the first instance and by the referees who will act as the adjudicators."

There was no short-term solution to the problem of lifting player behaviour standards and it required further work and refinement, along with new assessment to identify the areas for improvement.

The technology trial that was part of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka had been useful in allowing sensible decisions to be made on the possible extended use of technology in the future.

Speed also reported that he expects men's and women's cricket administration to be amalgamated under the ICC within the next 12 months.

Looking further to the future, Speed said: "The ICC launched a five-year strategic plan in 2001 and considerable progress has been made in achieving the goals that the organisation set itself at this time. Our mission statement demands that we promote the game as a global sport, protect the spirit of cricket and optimise commercial opportunities for the benefit of the game.

"We have an obligation to balance commercial issues with the traditions of the game which can be a difficult path to tread. We will continue to govern the sport for our stakeholders with honesty, integrity and consistency."