Match referee

Cricket is a game of honest and conscientious gentlemen. The ICC Cricket Code of Conduct was invented to maintain such a high status. The referee is responsible for ensuring that the Code is followed in international matches. This is an additional person who observes the game in a separate room, and after the game, draws up a report with all identified violations. Read more about the match referee in this review.

Match referee – who is he?

Each sport has its own laws and rules. It seems everyone understands it. Suppose the dispute can be resolved independently (between the players) at an amateur level, then at a professional level. In this case, certain individuals always make sure that the game is played within the rules. Such people are called – match referees. Each sport has a different number of judges.

In addition to judges, some matches also have referees. Although quite often the same person is called a judge and a referee, they are in different positions. According to the Laws of Cricket, there must be at least two referees (no referees) at professional games.

Mostly the match referee appears in either test matches or international one-day games (ODI and Twenty20I). This is an official appointed by the International Cricket Council. During the game, the referee is outside the field; a separate zone is provided for him. The Match referee does not make any decisions related to the game itself or its outcome (the two main referees on the field are responsible for all this).

The main task of the referee is to ensure that players comply with the ICC Cricket Code of Conduct. After each international game, the referee prepares a match report which is sent to the ICC. The report records all events, actions by players or judges, which, in the referee’s opinion, violate the Code of Conduct.

Match referee – ICC Cricket Code of Conduct

The ICC Cricket Code of Conduct was designed to regulate the behavior of professional players or referees (traditionally, cricket is considered a gentleman’s game; therefore, the Code of Conduct is highly valued in this sport). From the Code, we list the main violations, for which the most serious fines and sanctions are provided:

• Gambling (betting on the game);
• Fixed matches for some benefit (money or valuable items);
• Inducing the player to perform one of the above two points;
• If a person did not participate in fixed matches or bet manipulation, but knew that this was happening, he will also be punished (of course, if they find out about it);
• Other violations related to the four previous points.

Suppose a cricketer or referee is noticed in one of these violations. In such case, he can be fined a certain percentage of his salary, banned from participating in a certain number of matches or even deprived of the right to play at a professional level for several years or for life.

In addition to the main violations, the Code of Conduct displays other illegal aspects. They are divided into four levels (we will give an example, one item from each level):

1. Expression of disagreement with the judge’s decision by word or action (there are 6 points in total in the 1st level);
2. Public negative criticism of any episode related to the match (10 points in total in the 2nd level);
3. Threat of attack on a player, team official or spectator (5 points in total in the 3rd level);
4. The use of language or gestures that seriously insult faith, race, religion, or other signs (5 points in total in the 4th level).

Penalties vary depending on the level (4th most serious). It is important to note that if the violation occurred in test matches, then the ban does not affect one-day matches in any way and vice versa.

The match referee also evaluates the quality of the field before and after the match. We repeat that he provides all the information to the ICC.

The interesting point is that match referees are usually former cricketers who have succeeded in their years. Some of the most famous are former Australian cricketer and sportscaster David Boon and former professional Sri-Lanka player Ranjan Madugalle.

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