17th July 2001

Letter to Captains

Dear

I took up my duties as Chief Executive of the ICC last week. The ICC faces a very challenging task in becoming a widely respected sporting organisation that can sit proudly alongside other world governing bodies and I look forward to leading the game through this demanding process.

As you are very well aware, cricket has been through a difficult period over the past 18 months and it is now time to move the game forward.

There will inevitably be a number of issues that confront the game in the future and I intend to consult regularly with the captains concerning these issues. At the same time, please feel free to contact me if there is any pressing matter that you wish to discuss with me.

One of the first things that I will be addressing is player behaviour and I have written to all of the captains, umpires and referees concerning this.

I have been very pleased that a number of captains have spoken publicly of their intention to ensure that their teams play not only within the Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. There have, however, been a number of incidents in matches over the past 12 months that have fallen below an acceptable standard. I have no interest in dredging up past incidents, and I point no finger of blame, but it is time to ensure that, moving forward, all of us charged with protecting the reputation of our great game meet the high standards expected.

The Laws of Cricket are quite specific about upholding the Spirit of Cricket. The first part of the Preamble to the Laws is as follows:

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

[captain's name], I ask you to read these words carefully and to ensure that you and your team are aware of each of the seven sections of the Preamble to the Laws. I appreciate that the international game is fiercely competitive and played for increasingly high stakes, but ask that you take all steps available to you to as captain to ensure that your team honours the Spirit of the Game. It is a very important duty that is entrusted to you and one which places a great responsibility on all International captains.

I would also add that I am concerned that some match officials have not always responded adequately to some of these incidents. As a result, there have been occasions when inappropriate behaviour has gone unpunished and other occasions when penalties have been inadequate to deal fully with the offence committed.

In my view, this has caused members of the cricket public to lose faith in the way in which we deal with disciplinary matters. Accordingly, I have written to all ICC panel umpires and referees asking them to address this issue in the future. I enclose a copy of these letters for your information.

I very much look forward to working with you during my time in this position. I seek your personal support to help realise the ICC's potential in taking our great game forward.

Yours sincerely

MALCOLM SPEED
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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