MCC Laws of Cricket

Law 42 - Guidance on the definitions of dissent for umpires, captains and players

Level Description / Definition

Dissent:

Examples (must be taken in context) Players Applicable to

Failure to leave the crease or the field of play promptly Batsman

Raising or waving of the bat to suggest contact with the ball Batsman

1

An action or actions by a player or players which clearly demonstrates to observers (other players, spectators, etc) that the umpire has, in the player’s view, made a mistake

Indicating a contact point on the body or equipment Batsman

Breaking the wicket with the bat or person Batsman

Throwing the ball to the ground Fielding Side Audible statement(s) of dissent

Any gesture or animated behaviour which suggests umpire error

Any Player

Any Player

Any other conduct the umpire considers is equivalent to a Level 1 offence Any Player

Failure to leave the crease or the field of play within an extended timeframe which may require addition input from the umpire(s) Batsman

Aggressive breaking of the wicket with the bat or person Batsman

Throwing of the bat, gloves or helmet Batsman

Serious Dissent:

Obscene language and/or highly audible statement(s) within an act of dissent Any Player

2

A prolonged, repeated or aggressive action or actions by a player or players which clearly demonstrates to observers that the umpire has, in the player’s view, made a mistake.

Advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive or animated manner in an act of showing dissent Any Player

Any aggressive, animated or sustained behaviour in an act of showing dissent Any Player

Any repetition or combination of Level 1 acts of dissent

Any Player

A collective display of dissent by two or more fielders, which may include the bowler, in response to an umpire’s decision Any Player

Any other conduct the umpire considers is equivalent to a Level 2 offence or a repeated Level 1 offence Any Player

Reporting Guidelines

Premier, Championship, Division 1, 2a and 2b Only

Captains’ Marks

Cooperation with Umpires + Team Management: Maximum total 10

Score General category Report Required Category for behaviour reporting*

6 - 10 Acceptable No

4 - 5 Marginally unacceptable No Poor

0 - 3 Unacceptable Yes Very Poor

Team Marks

Respect for Umpires + Respect for Opponents: Maximum total 10

Score General category Report Required Category for Team behaviour reporting*

*Note: Team behaviour reporting for Premier Division, Championship, Division 1, 2a and 2b.

When reporting Team Behaviour the lowest mark from ‘Captain’ and ‘Team’ should be used to determine the category to be reported.

Team Behaviour Penalties

A ‘totting up’ process will be applied for teams that fall below an acceptable standard for behaviour, as marked by the umpires. Penalties will be applied as follows:

Fair play and team behaviour penalties are judged against the ECB Fair Play Marking Criteria outlined opposite.