Cricket World Cup: Players to be educated by ICC on appropriate behaviour in tournament

THE seperating banter from unacceptable behaviour will be made explicitly clear to Australia’s aggressive-minded cricketers on the eve of the World Cup.

Australia v India Picture:Wayne Ludbey Rohit Sharma & Raina argue with David Warner

The line that separates appropriate sledging from unacceptable behaviour will be made explicitly clear to Australia’s aggressive-minded cricketers on the eve of the World Cup.

It’s an invisible mark that players always talk about not crossing, but in reality it’s a theory that’s difficult to qualify.

The International Cricket Board has reiterated its support for umpires to continue clamping down on poor player behaviour during the showpiece tournament, and rightly or wrongly, playing ‘ugly’ is a stigma Australia carry more than any other country.

SQUAD SELECTOR: WHAT IS AUSTRALIA’S FIRST CHOICE XI

David Warner was reprimanded earlier in the one-day tri-series, and was admonished by CA chief executive James Sutherland for his actions.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann has also publicly backed match officials to do their job and crack down on poor behaviour.

Leading into the World Cup, ICC match officials will explain exactly what “the line” of decency is that they expect.

Players will be allowed to ask questions and educate themselves on what actions will be cracked down on.

Sutherland says that it’s the responsibility of his player to take on-field behaviour and the word of the umpires seriously.

“My position has always been the players have to take responsibility for their behaviour on the field and understanding where the line is drawn,” he said.

“The umpires and the match referees to a lesser extent are the ones who need to take action. The code of conduct is pretty clear on what is an offence and what’s not an offence.”

Australia’s behaving badly on the field always seems to attract more attention than sledging by other countries.

But Sutherland denies umpires have expressed a feeling that Australia has a problem.

“We talk to umpires all the time to get an understanding if there are any issues,” he said.

“No, none (complaints). Every time the match referee is in town and when they change over I encourage them to let me know if there are any issues.”