Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it is expected to 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.
| Year | Club |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | Not Awarded |
| 2022/23 | Bundoora CC |
| 2021/22 | Bundoora Park CC |
| 2020/21 | Lower Eltham CC |
| 2019/20 | Bundoora Park |
| 2018/19 | Bundoora |
| 2017/18 | Bundoora |
| 2016/17 | Bundoora United |
| 2015/16 | Lower Plenty & South Morang |
| 2014/15 | Panton Hill |
1. There are two Laws, which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.
(i) Responsibility of captains;
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.
(ii) Players’ conduct;
In the event of a player failing to comply with the instructions by an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decisions of an umpire, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain, and instruct the latter to take action.
2. Fair and Unfair Play
According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play.
The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.
3. The Umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:
- Time Wasting
- Damaging the pitch
- Dangerous or unfair bowling
- Tampering with the Ball
- Any other action that they consider to be unfair
4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:
- Your opponents
- Your own captain and team
- The role of the umpires
- The game’s traditional values
5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:
- To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture
- To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
- To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:(a) to appeal, knowing that the batsman is not out(b) to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing(c) to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.
6. Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.
7. Players
Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.
Voting System (Team Award)
- 5 votes – Exemplary behaviour of the team; reinforcing & promoting the spirit of cricket. The team shows the spirit of cricket in their actions.
- 4 votes – Well behaved within the spirit of cricket guidelines.
- 3 votes – Behaviour of the team could be improved through following the spirit of cricket guidelines more closely. Captain or player fails to set direction & tone of the game within the spirit of cricket guidelines.
- 2 votes – Player cited.
- 1 vote – Player reported
- 0 vote – More than one player reported.
Note: any club that has any player suspended in any grade throughout the season becomes ineligible for the Spirit of Cricket Award for that season.
