ICC to move towards stricter sanctions on ball tampering, on field behaviour

Kolkata, April 26: In the wake of the ball tampering incident by Australian cricketers against South Africa, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Dave Richardson has called for “stricter and heavier sanction” for any such act as well as showing lack of respect for the game.

“We had a very good discussion in both forums (Chief Executives’ Committee and board meeting). We want to move towards stricter and heavier sanctions for ball tampering and all other offences that are indicative of a lack of respect for your opponent, the game, umpires, for fans, for the media etc,” Richardson told reporters on Thursday at the end of a five-day ICC quarterly meet here.

“This includes offenses like using abusive language, sledging, sendoffs after a batsman is dismissed and dissent at umpire’s decisions,” he added.

Richardson said the ICC wants its cricket committee headed by former India captain Anil Kumble to put proper penalties in place for the offences.

“We want penalties in place which act as a proper deterrent. Fines are not proving to be the answer and we will ask the cricket committee to review our current penalties related to each of those type of offences and come forward with recommendations to the Chief Executives’ Committee and the Board in June-July,” he said.

Richardson further said there will be an additional panel in place to police on-field behaviour which will have the likes of former Australia skipper Allan Border and former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock. IANS