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Men's Test Match Clause 42: Player's Conduct

42. Player's Conduct

  • 42.1. Serious misconduct

    • 42.1.1. The umpires shall act upon any serious misconduct. The relevant offences and the corresponding actions by the umpires are identified in clause 42.2.1. These offences correspond with Level 4 offences in the ICC Code of Conduct. Level 1 to Level 3 offences continue to be dealt with separately under the ICC Code of Conduct.
    • 42.1.2. If either umpire considers that a player has committed one of these offences at any time during the match, the umpire concerned shall call and signal Dead ball. This call may be delayed until the umpire is satisfied that it will not disadvantage the non-offending side.
    • 42.1.3. The umpire concerned shall report the matter to the other umpire and together they shall decide whether an offence has been committed. The umpires may also consult with the third umpire and the match referee, who may review any audio or video replays to confirm whether an offence has been committed. If so, the umpires shall then apply the related sanctions.
    • 42.1.4. If the offence is committed by a batsman, the umpires shall summon the offending player’s captain to the field. Solely for the purpose of this clause, the batsmen at the wicket may not deputise for their captain.

  • 42.2. Level 4 offences and action by umpires

    • 42.2.1. Any of the following actions by a player shall constitute a Level 4 offence:

  • threatening to assault an umpire

      - making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire

  • physically assaulting a player or any other person

  • committing any other act of violence.

    • 42.2.2. If such an offence is committed, 42.2.2.1 to 42.2.2.5 shall be implemented.

    • 42.2.2.1. The umpire shall call Time.

    • 42.2.2.2. Together the umpires shall summon and inform the offending player’s captain that an offence at this Level has occurred.

    • 42.2.2.3. The umpires shall instruct the captain to remove the offending player immediately from the field of play for the remainder of the match and shall apply the following:

      • 42.2.2.3.1. If the offending player is a fielder, no substitute shall be allowed for him. He is to be recorded as Retired – out at the commencement of any subsequent innings in which his team is the batting side.
      • 42.2.2.3.2. If a bowler is suspended mid-over, then that over must be completed by a different bowler, who shall not have bowled the previous over nor shall be permitted to bowl the next over.
      • 42.2.2.3.3. If the offending player is a batsman he is to be recorded as Retired – out in the current innings, unless he has been dismissed under any of clauses 32 to 39, and at the commencement of any subsequent innings in which his team is the batting side. If no further batsman is available to bat, the innings is completed.

    • 42.2.2.4. As soon as practicable, the umpire shall:

  • award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team

  • signal the Level 4 penalty to the scorers

  • call Play.

    • 42.2.2.5. The umpires shall then report the matter to the ICC Match Referee under the ICC Code of Conduct.
  • 42.3. Captain refusing to remove a player from the field
    • 42.3.1. If a captain refuses to carry out an instruction under 42.2.2.3, the umpires shall invoke clause 16.3 (Umpires awarding a match).
    • 42.3.2. If both captains refuse to carry out instructions under 42.2.2.3 in respect of the same incident, the umpires shall instruct the players to leave the field. The match is not concluded as in clause 12.9 and there shall be no result under clause 16.
  • 42.4. Additional points relating to Level 4 offences
    • 42.4.1. If a player, while acting as wicket-keeper, commits a Level 4 offence, clause 24.1.2 shall not apply, meaning that only a nominated player may keep wicket, even if another fielder becomes injured or ill and is replaced by a substitute.
    • 42.4.2. A nominated player who has a substitute will also suffer the penalty for any Level 4 offence committed by the substitute. However, only the substitute will be reported under clause 42.2.2.5.