What happens to players who misbehave on the field?
A · Advanced · What is unfair play, and what happens? · 10 of 20Under the Laws, umpires deal with misconduct in four levels. Level 1, such as dissent or bad language, brings a team warning and then 5 penalty runs. Level 2 brings 5 runs at once. Level 3, such as intimidating an umpire, means time off the field as well. Level 4, such as violence, means the player is sent off for the rest of the match.
How it works
| Level | Examples | What the umpires do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dissent, offensive language, obscene gestures, excessive appealing, mistreating equipment | First offence by the team: a warning for the whole team. Any further offence: 5 runs to the other side |
| 2 | Serious dissent, deliberate contact with a player, throwing the ball dangerously at someone, seriously insulting language | 5 runs to the other side |
| 3 | Intimidating an umpire, threatening to assault a player | 5 runs; the player is off the field for 10 overs, or a fifth of the innings' overs in a limited-overs match |
| 4 | Threatening an umpire, deliberate contact with an umpire, assault, any other violence | 5 runs; the player is off for the rest of the match, with no substitute; a fielder is recorded as retired out when their side bats |
- Every case is reported after the match to the team and the governing body, who may act further.
- Playing time lost is added to the day.
Tricky cases
Can a player be sent off in cricket?
Yes. Under the Laws, a Level 4 offence removes the player for the rest of the match, and a Level 3 offence for a set number of overs. In ICC internationals, umpires can send a player off for Level 4 offences.
Is sledging against the rules?
Obscene, offensive or insulting language is a Level 1 offence or worse. Where talk becomes conduct is for the umpires. Gamesmanship as such is a matter of convention, not covered here.
Who deals with dissent in internationals?
The ICC Code of Conduct, applied by the Match Referee after the match. The on-field playing conditions deal only with Level 4 offences.
Why the rule exists
Respect for the umpires and opponents is part of the game. On-field penalties make misconduct cost the team at once, not only later.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The Laws | Four levels with on-field sanctions | L42.1 to 42.5 |
| ICC men's internationals | Only Level 4 acted on by the umpires on the field; Levels 1 to 3 handled under the ICC Code of Conduct (not covered here) | PC-T 42.1.1, 42.2 |
From the rule book
MCC Laws of Cricket, Law 42, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. ICC men's playing conditions, clause 42, October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official documents: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF); ICC playing conditions (PDF).