ICC/Code of Conduct

ICC Code of Conduct

The 4-level disciplinary framework governing player behavior in international cricket

Level 1

Minor Offences

Level 1 offences are relatively minor breaches of the Code that carry moderate penalties. They typically involve behavior that shows dissent or poor sportsmanship but doesn't escalate to physical confrontation or serious misconduct.

Penalties

  • •Official reprimand (first offence)
  • •1 demerit point
  • •Fine of 50% of match fee (subsequent offences within 24 months)
  • •4 demerit points within 24 months = suspension

Examples of Offences

  • •Excessive appealing
  • •Showing dissent at an umpire's decision (minor)
  • •Using language or gestures that are obscene, offensive or insulting during play
  • •Slow over rate (captain typically charged)
  • •Minor over-rate offence
  • •Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion after taking a wicket

Notable Cases

Kagiso Rabada(2020)

Charged multiple times for aggressive celebrations after taking wickets — accumulated demerit points

Penalty: Fined 15% match fee, 1 demerit point

Virat Kohli(2019)

Used inappropriate language caught on stump mic during a Test match

Penalty: Official reprimand, 1 demerit point

Shannon Gabriel(2019)

Personal abuse directed at Joe Root during a Test match (homophobic remark)

Penalty: Charged Level 1, fined 75% match fee — some argued it should have been higher

Ravindra Jadeja(2023)

Slow over rate as acting captain in an ODI

Penalty: Fined 20% match fee

Pat Cummins(2023)

Slow over rate in multiple Tests, resulting in accumulated demerit points

Penalty: Fined and demerit points

Level 2

Serious Offences

Level 2 offences involve more serious breaches including deliberate physical contact, ball tampering, showing serious dissent, and making inappropriate gestures. These carry heavier fines and suspensions.

Penalties

  • •Fine of 50-100% of match fee
  • •3 demerit points
  • •Possible suspension of 1-2 matches
  • •8 demerit points within 24 months = automatic suspension

Examples of Offences

  • •Showing serious dissent at an umpire's decision
  • •Making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with another player
  • •Ball tampering (attempting or actually changing the condition of the ball)
  • •Throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate manner
  • •Charging or advancing towards an umpire aggressively
  • •Deliberately distracting or obstructing a batsman

Notable Cases

Cameron Bancroft(2018)

Ball tampering using sandpaper during Cape Town Test — Sandpapergate

Penalty: 9-month ban (by Cricket Australia, exceeding ICC penalty)

Faf du Plessis(2016)

Ball tampering — caught using zipper on trousers to rough up the ball

Penalty: Fined 100% match fee, 3 demerit points

Faf du Plessis(2013)

Ball tampering — using mint residue in mouth while shining the ball

Penalty: Fined 50% match fee

Kagiso Rabada(2018)

Making deliberate physical contact with Steve Smith after dismissing him — shoulder bump

Penalty: 2-match suspension (overturned on appeal)

Shakib Al Hasan(2014)

Kicking and uprooting the stumps in frustration during an ODI

Penalty: Suspended for 2 matches

Level 3

Intimidation & Abuse

Level 3 offences involve intimidation, threats of assault, and serious personal abuse including racial, religious, or sexual harassment. These are treated very seriously.

Penalties

  • •Fine of 50-100% of match fee
  • •6 demerit points
  • •Suspension of 2-4 Test matches or 4-8 ODIs/T20Is
  • •Possible longer ban for repeat offenders

Examples of Offences

  • •Intimidation of an umpire or match referee through language or gestures
  • •Threat of assault on another player, umpire or match official
  • •Using language, actions or gestures that disparage or insult another person on the basis of race, religion, gender, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin
  • •Obscene gestures

Notable Cases

Harbhajan Singh(2008)

Monkeygate — initially charged Level 3 for racially abusing Andrew Symonds at Sydney Test. Reduced to Level 2 on appeal

Penalty: Original 3-match ban overturned, fined 50% match fee on appeal

Sarfraz Ahmed(2019)

Racist remark about South Africa's Andile Phehlukwayo caught on stump mic

Penalty: Suspended for 4 ODIs

James Anderson(2014)

Charged with pushing and abusing Ravindra Jadeja in the corridor during India-England Test series

Penalty: Found not guilty after hearing

Darren Sammy(2020)

Revealed he had been called a racial slur during IPL — highlighted systemic issues

Penalty: No charge (retrospective revelation — prompted anti-racism discussions)

Level 4

Most Serious Offences

Level 4 offences are the most severe — threatening to assault an umpire, physical assault on another player or official, and any act of violence. These carry automatic lengthy bans.

Penalties

  • •Ban from 5 Test matches or more
  • •Ban from 10+ ODIs/T20Is
  • •Possible life ban for extreme cases
  • •12 demerit points
  • •Criminal prosecution may also apply

Examples of Offences

  • •Threatening to assault an umpire or match referee
  • •Physically assaulting another player, umpire, match referee or spectator
  • •Any act of violence on the field of play
  • •Using a cricket bat or other equipment as a weapon

Notable Cases

Shakib Al Hasan(2017)

Kicked and damaged the stumps, then argued aggressively with the umpire during a Sri Lanka Premier League match — multiple offences in one match

Penalty: Suspended for 3 matches across two charges

Marlon Samuels(2008)

Threw ball at bowler in an act of deliberate aggression during a domestic match

Penalty: Charged with Level 4, received lengthy ban

Harbhajan Singh(2008)

Slapped Sreesanth after an IPL match — technically off-field but dealt with through BCCI disciplinary process

Penalty: Banned for remainder of IPL season (BCCI, not ICC)