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ICC Europe Spirit of Cricket
Introduction

Cricket more than any other sport has traditionally been associated with the virtues of honesty, integrity, fair play and team work. The spirit of cricket objective is to uphold and promote the positive values associated with the spirit of cricket, thereby educating the cricket community on codes and policies which enforce these values, as well as promoting the positive aspects of the game - 'play hard, play fair'.

The success of the Spirit of Cricket initiative depends upon the willingness of players, coaches, officials and administrators at all levels to embrace the concept and apply it in their approach to every aspect of the game. Each year the European Development Program encourages member countries to run initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the game from grass roots level upwards, promoting the spirit of the game and generating funds for the growth of the game.

Key Principles & Values

Key Principles

  • Protect the spirit of cricket
  • Promote & enhance the history & heritage of cricket
  • Maintain & enhance the traditional spirit of the game
  • Uphold & promote the values & standards of cricket

Values of the Greatest Game

  • Brings people together
  • Creates harmony & peace
  • Understanding
  • Culture
  • Respect for others
  • Responsibility
Links
ICC Development Program Annual Awards

ICC Development Awards 2005 BrochureThe International Cricket Council invites applications from all 82 of its Associate and Affiliate Member countries for its ICC Development Program Annual Awards for 2005. Nominations must first be submitted on a regional basis at which stage five regional winners will be selected in each category. These regional winners will then progress to be judged by an esteemed global panel. There are a total of nine awards available across a range of country and individual categories. Full details of the criteria, nomination process and an application form are available for download. The nomination process closes on 31 January 2006 and regional winners will be announced on 27 February 2006. The global winners will be announced on 30 March 2006.

In the late 1990s, two distinguished MCC members and ex-England captains, Ted Dexter and Lord Cowdrey, sought to enshrine the 'Spirit of Cricket' in the game's Laws - thereby reminding players of their responsibility for ensuring that cricket is always played in a truly sportsmanlike manner. The Dexter/Cowdrey initiative proved successful, and when the current Code of Laws was introduced, in 2000, it included, for the first time, a Preamble on the Spirit of Cricket.

Powerpoint Presentation
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Download the ICC Europe Spirit of Cricket presentation
(This is a 2.3MB Powerpoint file)


MCC Spirit of Cricket Postcards

MCC Spirit of Cricket Postcard Front, Michael Vaughan MCC Spirit of Cricket Postcard Front, Adam Gilchrist
MCC Spirit of Cricket Postcard Back Download high-resolution versions of the MCC Spirit of Cricket Postcards

(1) Michael Vaughan
(2) Adam Gilchrist
(3) Back Cover

MCC Spirit of Cricket Preamble

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsbility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

  1. There are two Laws which place responsibility for the team's conduct firmly on the captain.
    Responsibility of captains
    The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.
    Player's conduct
    In the event of a player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decision of an umpire, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player's captain, and instruct the latter to take action.

  2. Fair and unfair play
    According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

  3. The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:
    • Time wasting
    • Damaging the pitch
    • Dangerous or unfair bowling
    • Tampering with the ball
    • Any other action that they consider to be unfair

  4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:
    • Your opponents
    • Your own captain
    • The roles of the umpires
    • The game's traditional values

  5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:
    • To dispute an umpire's decision by word, action or gesture
    • To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
    • To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:
      1. to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out
      2. to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
      3. to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one's own side

  6. Violence
    There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

  7. Players
    Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution towards this.

© MCC 2005

Spirit of Cricket Archives
  • Spirit of Cricket 2001