Worcestershire County League

“SLEDGING”

When is the line between fair and unfair play crossed as far as sledging is concerned?

Some notes, from the Laws of Cricket Advisor to MCC, Mark Williams, for each Umpire to consider in deciding how to judge this:

Any and every remark made by the fielding side about either batsman, whether it is about the way they are playing, their dress or any other aspect of their behaviour or person is an attempt to get into the mind of the striker and to make him feel uncomfortable and/or make him think about something other than the ball he is about to face. This is the primary purpose of “sledging” by the fielding side.

Comments that are genuinely amusing, which the players often refer to as “banter” are probably acceptable, in the first instance, but if repeated or referred to again and again are clearly designed to disrupt the batsman’s equilibrium. Players will often try to justify their remarks as “just banter” when they are not amusing and/or are insulting or repetitive. In such cases action by the umpires of some sort is required.

The earlier an umpire or pair of umpires acts to tackle unacceptable “sledging” the better and easier for everyone concerned. In the first instance, a firm look or “quiet word” to the player concerned to make it clear that what he has just said is unacceptable may do the trick. If ignored by the player, an official word to the Captain is a crucial step, followed by official action if necessary under the Laws.

The easiest and most effective line to draw in the sand is to tackle any remark that is made about the other side. It is a difficult line to hold in the current culture of adult club cricket, especially with certain teams who do it systematically, especially at the start of a match or when they are under pressure. However, if, as a pair of umpires, this principle is made clear at the toss to both captains, whether or not this is acknowledged, it will often have the desired effect.

Umpires should also be alert to persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side, which is another menace which needs tackling. Many fielding sides, especially the young, feel that they have to make a cacophony of noise when they first come out to field to “rev” themselves up. They are all well aware that its primary purpose is to put off the batsmen in a “tribal” display of machismo. Persistent clapping is particularly invasive and is designed to distract the batsmen. It is remarkable how often this decays into silence by the time the score is 50-0.

Another practice fast spreading in club cricket is an excessive amount of celebration with loud collective “whooping” when a batsman is dismissed. This is wholly disrespectful to the batsman and again defines the “tribal” nature of the contest. This can, of course, be accompanied by a wholly unacceptable “send-off” to the batsman. Both these issues need tackling by the umpires at the earliest opportunity.

League teams will often target vulnerable players when they first come in: the young, known debutants at that level, or players known to be out of form. Umpires need to be alert to this and tackle any excess.

The recent ECB players’ survey identified poor behaviour and an aggressive, insulting atmosphere and culture in adult competitive cricket as a factor in players leaving the game (this was especially true of the young or those inexperienced of it). It is essential therefore that this issue is tackled nationally and, if possible, internationally, as soon as possible. Perhaps the best way to make significant progress is for the umpires, captains and clubs in a particular league or competition to meet, and agree a clear set of guidelines and principles. If these were established from “on high” by national bodies this would be even better. Umpires have a key role here, but they would feel much more confident in acting once such guidelines were in place, provided that they were supported by the administrators, and that offending players and captains were punished realistically and consistently.

CM April 2016