VTCA warns clubs and players against poor behaviour

Local cricketers have been put on notice after a run of bad behaviour drew the ire of competition officials. Here’s the latest.

Local cricketers have been put on notice after a string of bad behaviour in recent weeks.

The Victorian Turf Cricket Association, which includes clubs in Melbourne’s northwest and west, has written to clubs after the behaviour of players declined in recent weeks.

The email, obtained by Leader, says competition officials were not scared to take further action against offending clubs.

“The behaviour of players continues to decline week by week and certainly this is not a good reflection of our competition and brand,” the email said.

“The VTCA do take matters seriously with respect to player behaviour and even those outside the grounds we play on.

“Clubs should enforce to captains to ensure that high standards of player behaviour are maintained at all times on and off the field and that aggression and threat of violence would not be tolerated at any time towards anyone.

“Incidents over the last two weeks have resulted in some heavy penalties to clubs and players.

“Please ensure that captains and players are aware that the VTCA will not tolerate any form racial vilification or threatening behaviour.

“Otherwise please play the game of cricket with the spirit it is intended to (sic) and enjoy the game.”

VTCA clubs have been warned against poor behaviour. Picture: Andy Brownbill

VTCA Umpire Association president Neil Dey said the overall behaviour of most clubs had been good in the early rounds of the season.

“Generally speaking the players have been quite well behaved,” Dey said.

“We have had isolated incidents where there has been the odd cranky player or whatever else. Most of it ends up fine, the bloke has decided they're going to pull their head in.

“But when you go to the lower grades particularly, things sort of get a little bit hairy. It's the uncontrolled games with no umpires, that’s where we end up with issues.”

VTCA officials have been left frustrated by poor behaviour. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The VTCA has its own penalty card system which uses three different colours.

A green card can be issued to captains due to slow over rates or a late finishes if “in the opinion of the umpire they have contributed to play for the day finishing later than the allotted time”.

Yellow cards, which can be a reportable offence, can be handed out to players or officials for several reasons including an audible obscenity, dissent by word or action, a breach of the VTCA code of behaviour, a breach of VTCA rules or breaches of the spirit of cricket.

Red cards mean an automatic tribunal appearance with the player or official immediately removed from the match when the incident occurred.

These are handed down for a “serious breach” of the VTCA’s code of behaviour, rules or against spirit of cricket.

Match officials have already handed down 12 yellow cards this season including three during the double header round last weekend.