Objective

To act on behalf of ICC

a.

to see that the full implications of Law 42.1 are properly understood and upheld

b.

to ensure that the spirit of the game is observed and the conduct of the game maintained during the Test matches and ODI's by Players, umpires and Team Officials, either on or off the field, his responsibility being confined to the precincts of the ground.

Terms of Reference

a.

To be the independent representative of ICC (appointed by the Chairman or the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Boards concerned), at all Test matches and one-day internationals, the latter being part of a Test match tour, respecting the authority of the host country which is promoting a series, or the ground authority which is administering a match or series of matches.

b.

To liaise with the appointed umpires, but not in any way to interfere with their traditional role.

c.

To carry out the following duties:

1.

Observe and adjudicate upon breaches of the Code of Conduct.

2.

Impose penalties for failure to maintain the minimum over-rate as set by ICC (at present 15 overs per hour).

3.

Impose penalties for deliberate acts of unfair play, e.g. the deliberate slowing-down of over-rates and the deliberate speeding-up of overs to make up for any shortfall during a day's play.

4.

Impose penalties for infringements of the ICC Regulation relating to advertising on cricket clothing and equipment.

5.

Impose penalties incurred under any other ICC Regulation which may be passed from time to time and which falls within the Terms of Reference.

6.

Ensure the conduct of the game is upheld by the umpires in accordance with the Laws of Cricket and the ICC Standard Playing Conditions, and to give support to the umpires in this regard if required.

7.

Report to the ICC on matters relating to player safety at the ground; pitch and outfield preparation; adequacy of covers and equipment for pitch and outfield preparation; the condition and standard of facilities for players and umpires; the standard of practice facilities; adequacy of sight boards; and bowlers with suspect actions.

Method of Operation

a.

Initial Meeting

It is necessary that prior to the start of each Series, the referee shall have a meeting with Captains, Vice-Captains, umpires and Management. This meeting should take place on the day before the start of the First Test match and/or One Day International match for which he is appointed. There is no need for a subsequent meeting(s) to take place prior to the start of any Test or One Day International match during the remainder of the series unless the referee requests one. If no subsequent meeting takes place, the referee must ensure that all new umpires are briefed on details that were discussed at the initial meeting.
The Referee must lay down the standards expected from the Players, making it clear that the Captains are responsible for their teams and for the good conduct of the game. The Referee must make it clear that no public criticism of Umpires will be tolerated.
The referee should ensure that all are aware of the ICC Standard Playing Conditions.
Chief Authority. The Referee must clarify who is the Chief Executive Officer on the home side. With regard to the touring side, the chief authority is the Tour Manager.
Sledging. The Referee must stress the seriousness of this offence and urge Umpires to act firmly in all cases of sledging and excessive appealing.
Captains must be made aware that in the event of a team incident where a player is not individually identified, the Captain will be sanctioned on behalf on the team (i.e. in the case of ball doctoring) although the Referee must do all he can to seek out the individual culprit before sanctioning the Captain.
Advertising. The Referee should sound a warning to both the team Officials as well as the Players with regard to ICC's policy on advertising. He should make it clear that if the ICC Regulation is not heeded, a fine applicable to both Officers and Players can result.

b.

Umpires

i.

The Referee must not interfere with the traditional role of the Umpires but should urge Umpires to be decisive in upholding the Law.

ii.

The Referee should maintain close contact with Umpires before, during and after a Match.

c.

Scorer The Referee should brief the Scorer prior to a Match that he will need to provide the necessary information on over rates to the Referee at the close of play each day (Test Match Over Rate form will be handed to the Scorer).

d.

Media

e.

Match Days

The Referee must be present within the precincts of the Ground on all days of the Match or Matches assigned to him at least one hour before the start of play until after close of play, bearing in mind that Reports can be submitted up to one hour after the end of the day’s play. He must ensure, in conjunction with the Ground Authority, he has a good view of the Match and has access to a television monitor and, wherever possible, video equipment.

Procedure for dealing with disciplinary matters

a.

Reports

1.

Eligibility to lodge a Report

2.

An alleged breach of the Code or other offence can be reported by:

3.

The Referee;

4.

The Umpires, including the reserve Umpire;

5.

 The Team Manager (in his own right or on behalf of any of his players);

6.

The Chief Executive Officer, or his nominee, of the Board of either country participating in a Test Match or One day International Match.

7.

The Chief Executive ICC.

A Referee always has the right to investigate any Incident, whether or not it is subject of a Report.

8.

On-Field Reports

A.

Lodged by one or both of Umpires

Should an Umpire (or Umpires) decide to report a Player for an alleged breach of the Code or other offence, he (or they) must inform that Player’s Captain or Manager and the Referee of his (their) intention at the earliest opportunity and complete a Report form and hand it to the Referee not later than one hour after the close of the day’s play.

Lodged by others

If a Chief Executive Officer, or his nominee, Chief Executive ICC, or Team Manager decides to report a Player for an alleged breach of the Code or other offence, he must, no later than one hour after the close of the day’s play, complete a Report form and hand it to the Referee who must inform the Captain or Manager of the reported Player of receipt of a Report as soon as possible.

9.

Off-Field Reports

If an Umpire, Chief Executive Officer or his nominee, Chief Executive ICC or Team Manager decides to report a person for an alleged breach of the Code or other offence which occurs off the field but within the precincts of the Ground, he must complete a Report form and hand it to the Referee as soon as possible. If a Player is the subject of such a report, the Referee must inform his Captain or Team Manager of receipt of a Report as soon as possible.

Note: If a Captain is the reported Player, the Vice-Captain will be responsible for all relevant matters assigned to the Captain.

b.

Hearings

After a Report has been received and proper notification given, the following procedures must be carried out:

A Hearing should be arranged as soon as possible and practicable, bearing in mind that, unless there are exceptional circumstances, a decision should have been made no later than twenty-four hours after an incident (see 4 (c) (ii)).

i.

The Hearing should be attended by the person who is the subject of the Report, his Captain and Team Manager (if applicable), and the initiator of the Report, none of whom can be denied the right to appear at the Hearing. However, a Hearing may go ahead if the person who is the subject of the Report fails to attend. Note: If a Captain is unavailable or is the reported Player, the Vice-Captain will be responsible for all relevant matters assigned to the Captain.

ii.

The Referee can, at his discretion, call such witnesses as may be necessary.

iii.

The Referee must hear details of the alleged breach of the Code or other offence and decide on the action to be taken in a manner which accords with the principles of natural justice and which best ensures the fair and prompt determination of the breach or offence. In particular, the Referee must allow the person who is the subject of the Report to give evidence and produce proof, either verbally or in writing.

iv.

Guidelines on the Principles of Natural Justice.

c.

 Result

The Referee’s decision is final.

As soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after the incident, unless there are exceptional circumstances, the Referee must:

A.

Inform the person who is subject of the Report of his decision; and

B.

Having carried out A. above, inform (and confirm in writing) the Chief Executive Officer, or his nominee, of the decision and indicate when this should be made public.

d.

Media

The Chief Executive Officer, or his nominee, shall advise the Media of the decision.
The Referee is free to talk about his role and the importance of cricket being played in the right spirit. If there is a Report the Referee is to convey his decision in writing to the Chief Executive Officer. The Referee may now, if he chooses, issue his statement and advise his decision direct to the media, but only after consultation with the Chief Executive Officer.
The Referee must not discuss or comment upon his decision at any time. The Referee is not allowed to write for the press or commentate for the television and/or radio during the Series in which he is involved.

Penalties

The Referee may in his absolute discretion impose any penalty by way of reprimand and/or fine and/or suspension including a suspended fine or suspended suspension.

a.

Maximum fine to be imposed for breaches of the Code of Conduct and other ICC Regulations (excluding over rates) - 75% of a Player’s match fee. When on tour, the fine shall be calculated on the last match fee paid to that Player in his previous domestic season. If a Player did not participate in an International Match during his previous domestic season, that Player shall be fined on the basis which would have applied had he played in an International Match in his previous domestic season. In the case of a breach of the Code of Conduct by a Team Official, the Referee may impose a reprimand and/or fine and refer the matter to the Board of that team Official to take further action it may think fit.

b.

Maximum suspension to be imposed for breaches of the Code of Conduct and other ICC Regulations

c.

Test Matches

3 Matches

d.

ODI Matches

6 Matches

A Referee may impose the maximum suspension over a combination of Tests and ODIs not exceeding 3 Tests or 2 Tests and 2 ODIs or one Test and 4 ODIs or 6 ODIs in total.
If any matches of International standard other than Tests or ODIs take place between matches, the suspension will also include these.
If necessary, the suspension will carry over into another future series.
A Player's participation in his own domestic cricket (excluding International matches) during the period of any suspension imposed by the ICC Referee will be up to his own Board to determine.
Note: A Referee should clarify Player’s fees and rate of exchange prior to the start of a series. The level of fines is based on a percentage basis as follows
Minimum Fine 10% of match fee.

Maximum Fine 75% of match fee.
For a serious breach which incurs the maximum fine a suspension from one Test match may also be considered. The aggregate fine for multiple offences incurred during a Match must not exceed 75% of a Player’s fee.
Suspended sentence - a Referee may suspend any fine or suspension for a period not exceeding one year. Should the offending Player be found guilty of a further breach of the Code during this period, the original penalty will automatically be imposed. The Referee may impose a penalty for this subsequent offence up to the maximum without taking in to consideration the level of the suspended sentence previously imposed.

e.

Penalties for Slow Over Rates (see ICC Test Match Regulation for minimum overs in the day in Test Matches).

Test Matches

Over rates shall be assessed on 15 overs per hour, i.e. a minimum of 90 overs in a six hour day, subject to the following deductions:

i.

2 minutes per wicket taken.

ii.

actual time where treatment by authorised medical personnel is required on the Ground and also for a Player leaving the field due to serious injury.

iii.

4 minutes for one drinks break per session

iv.

If a side is bowled out in 50 overs or less, no over rate fine shall apply.Overs will be calculated at the end of the Match. For each over short of the target number, 5% of each Player's match fee in the fielding side is to be deducted for the first 5 overs and 10% per over thereafter.

One Day International Matches

i.

The target over rate is to be 15 overs per hour. In the event of the target over rate not being reached, for each over short of the number required to be bowled in the scheduled time, the fielding side will be fined an amount equal to 5% of each Player’s match fee for the first 5 overs and 10% per over thereafter.

ii.

No deductions are to be made for wickets or drinks breaks.

iii.

If a side is bowled out in 35 overs or less of a scheduled 50 overs per side match (or pro rata if the number of overs are reduced), no over rate fine shall apply.

iv.

For touring teams where a tour fee is paid, the match fee will be taken to be the match fee paid by that Country in its previous domestic season.

f.

A penalty may be reviewed by the Referee if, after consultation with the Umpires, he is of the opinion that events beyond the control of the fielding side, including time-wasting by the batting side, prevented that team from bowling the required number of overs. The batting side may be fined at the same rate as the fielding side if, in the opinion of the Referee, the batting side is guilty of slowing down the over rate.

Paymentof Fines

The Referee must formally, in writing, notify the Board/Tour Manager of the Player(s) concerned and the Chief Executive ICC of any fines owing. Fines must be paid within one calendar month by the Player(s) to his (their) Board who will, in turn, forward such fine(s) to the Chief Executive ICC. Any Player(s) failing to meet this requirement will be rendered unavailable for selection for any international or national team fixture under the control of his (their) own Board.

Records

a.

The Referee is responsible for keeping a record of all Reports lodged and action taken. He must forward all copies of Reports, together with details of action taken, to the Chief Executive ICC who, in turn, will forward such details to Full Member Countries and other referees.

b.

The Referee must ensure that he receives copies of all Reports submitted by Captains and Umpires to the Chief Executive Officer, or his nominee, or to the Team Manager of the two teams involved. These should be forwarded to the Chief Executive ICC.