The International Cricket Council has warned players from Australia and South Africa to behave when their three-test series starts this month.
ICC chief executive officer Malcolm Speed said the ”war of words” between the two countries had raised concerns ”that the high standards expected of international cricketers are at risk of being eroded”.
Australian fast-bowler Glenn McGrath and spin-bowler Shane Warne recently joined the verbal fray with a few choice taunts directed at the South African team — taunts which casts no doubt on Australia’s ability to talk a good game, but does not shed any light on their current form in playing the game.
South African skipper Graeme Smith recently said that there were ”question marks” over the Australian middle order and that the Australian team had lost its aura since its humiliating loss to England during the Ashes series.
Speed said the behavior of cricketers on the whole had been in decline over the past three months.
”Unfortunately, since the Ashes there has been a spate of code of conduct offenses committed by players which have resulted in a series of penalties being applied, including suspension,” Speed said in a statement on Sunday.
”There have also been a series of comments by players and former players ahead of the Australia-South Africa series that I believe make it necessary to remind the players of the importance of playing within the spirit of the game ahead of this series.”
Eight players and officials have been found guilty by the ICC since November of code of conduct breaches – twice the number of guilty verdicts from the same period last year.
Speed said verbal exchanges between players was part of the game, but that captains were responsible for their team’s conduct.
”In cricket, the captain of the team has a powerful role in setting the tone for the rest of his team,” Speed said.
The first test starts December 16 at the WACA ground in Perth, Australia. – Sapa-AP