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Slow over-rate: ICC to crack the whip

Cape Town: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday decided to crack the whip on teams which maintain slow over-rates in Tests and one-dayers besides also proposing more stringent punishment to players guilty of verbal abuse.

ICC Chief Executives’ Committee, at the end of its two-day meeting here, dwelt at length on the slow over-rate problem and verbal abuse of opposition players, two issues which affected the recent series including the four-match Test rubber between India and Australia.

Stronger action

“Members of the CEC called for stronger action against teams bowling their overs too slowly in Tests and ODIs. As a result, ICC management will review the relevant regulations with a view to encouraging better over-rates and strengthening sanctions against offending teams,” an ICC statement said.

“There was also a feeling among CEC members that a stronger stance needed to be taken against players guilty of verbal abuse,” the statement added.

With the current FTP due to conclude in May 2012, the CEC also spent time discussing the concept of an alternative structure to bilateral tours, including the possibility of an enhanced Test championship.

“This is very much a work-in-progress and will continue to be explored at future meetings. There was also a general discussion on the issue of Test cricket with Members acknowledging the need to find ways in which this format of the game can be protected and promoted,” the ICC statement said.

Anti-racism code

The CEC also agreed to draw up an anti-racism code separate rom the ICC Code of Conduct. A draft code will be drawn up after receiving written comments and suggestions from Members. —

The CEC was updated on the situation regarding proposed amendments to the Code of Conduct, specifically to do with Levels 3 and 4 charges being referred to an independent legally qualified adjudicator.

The CEC recommended to the ICC Board that the role of the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) be expanded to include liaising and managing safety, security and terrorism intelligence matters with independent security consultants/agencies and advising the ICC Chief Executive and Board on all matters relating to safety and security.

This would be primarily for ICC events but it is envisaged that the ACSU would be prepared to offer this service to Members for bilateral series if asked to do so.

All Full Members and the top six Associate Members also agreed to have in place WADA-compliant codes by July 1, 2009. CEC agreed that draft copies of each Member’s anti-doping code must be with the ICC by March 1, 2009 to allow for any necessary amendments to be made by the required deadline.

Due to scheduling issues, the CEC was not in favour of the inclusion of cricket in the programme for the Commonwealth Games 2014 to take place in Glasgow. — PTI

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