International Cricket Council match referees have laid down firm warning to all participating sides in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand that they will be expected to uphold the spirit of cricket.

ICC match referee John Reid distributed a letter to all teams today signed by all the match referees in action during the tournament, Naushad Ali, Don Arnott, Barry Jarman, Frank Cameron and himself.

"This ICC Under-19 World Cup is a very important cricket tournament for the countries involved, and for you personally as the next step towards representing your countries at Test level.

"Consequently, the standards of on-field behaviour will be expected to conform with the ICC code of conduct.

"Both the ICC president [Malcolm Gray] and Chief Executive Officer [Malcolm Speed] have clearly instructed umpires and referees to act decisively should any breach of the code occur - suspension is advocated."

Reid said the recent examples of the stricter line being applied by match officials had been obvious to all, and the same would apply during this tournament.

Match officials would take action against any behaviour that brought the game into disrepute, including charging the umpire for a decision, dissent, excessive appealing, intimidation, abuse and bad language.

"The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the spirit of the game as well as within the laws.

"With the advent of the tournament you will be entering the adult world of cricket, one where individual players are required to take responsibility for their own actions.

"We are looking forward to being entertained by talented, emerging players, many of whom will no doubt progress to becoming exciting international cricketers," he said.

© CricInfo