What are Demerit Points in Cricket? | Explained

Demerit points were introduced in the laws of the game in September 2016 under the ICC’s Code of Conduct to punish the players for various offences.

Levels of Demerit Points

There are four levels under which these offences fall, depending on how severe the offence is. Previously, Level 1 and Level 2 offences resulted in fines, but now small offences can result in suspension.

If any player collects four demerit points (points are decided by the match referee) within 24 months, then the player will be banned for one Test or two white-ball matches. If a player is involved in repeated offences, he/she will accumulate eight demerit points within 24 months.

Level 3 is applied when a player uses intimidating language or gestures against the umpire or threatens to assault a player. The umpire can suspend that player, and the team captain is informed about this.

The opposition team will be given 5 penalty runs. If the player is suspended mid-over, then his over will be completed by another bowler, and the suspended player can’t be eligible to bat until the next innings. The umpires can refer this matter to the governing body, which can take the action that feels appropriate against the player, captain, or team.

Level 4 is applied if a player is involved in any deliberate physical contact with any opposition player or the umpire, then the umpire has the right to suspend the player and declare him/her as retired out, and the captain of the team is also informed about this, resulting in 5 penalty runs, and is told to instruct that player to leave the field immediately. If the captain doesn’t agree with the decision, then all players will be instructed to leave the field.

Also Read | When do Umpires Award Penalty Runs in Cricket?

Who decides a player’s demerit points and the level of offence?

The match referee is informed about the offences by the on-field umpires, who then inform the team or the player about the demerit points, which can also be pushed for a hearing if the player and the team want to contest.

Punishing a particular player twice for the same offence

The aim of the demerit point system is to increase the level of punishment if the player breaches the code of conduct frequently. Demerit points stand firm even after the suspension period so that the players won’t commit offences deliberately, but it will give them a free hand to time their bans to enable them to miss less crucial games.

If a player had known that a demerit point could have gotten him suspended, he would have tried to get one more to miss the less important game and play the next series without any demerit points, but the demerit points that he had earlier received will remain intact.

Has any player been suspended?

Ravindra Jadeja was banned for the third Test against Sri Lanka in August 2017 as he had thrown the ball towards Malinda Pushpakumara during the second match. And against England during the home Test series, he had three demerit points for running on the pitch in one of the matches in that series.

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