Dave Richardson, the outgoing ICC chief executive, believes cricket has received "a big wake-up call” following a spate of bans for misbehaviour over the last 12 months, but is confident players have got the message ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
David Warner and Steve Smith’s 12-month bans (imposed by Cricket Australia) for their part in the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal end on March 28, while the ICC have had to take action against Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed and West Indies’ Shannon Gabriel for remarks that were picked up by the stump microphone.
Richardson, speaking at an event in Trafalgar Square to mark 100 days from the start of the World Cup in England and Wales, believes the ICC have tightened up, having become too “complacent”.
“Some of the incidents we have had over the last 12 months, with sandpaper-gate, has been a big wake-up call for the game, and cricket realises just how important it is to play in the right way,” he told Standard Sport.
“Racial, sexual discrimination and abusive language — the public have said there’s no place for it. I’m pleased with how cricket is dealing with it and is trying to make sure the players understand the need to play fair and with respect and tolerance for different people.
“I think it [bans] will serve as a reminder [of players’ responsibilities].
"At the ICC we took a long, hard look at ourselves and questioned whether we had been too complacent and I think that was the case.
“We have taken steps now to address that, to make sure everyone understands what behaviour we expect.
“The turning point was realising that fans wouldn’t tolerate it and the game would be in real danger if we did not address that.”
