MCC Spirit of Cricket Preamble
“Respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket. Respect your captain, team-mates, opponents and the authority of the umpires.
Play hard and play fair. Accept the umpire’s decision. Create a positive atmosphere by your own conduct and encourage others to do likewise.
Congratulate the opposition on their successes and enjoy those of your own team. Thank the officials and your opposition at the end of the match, whatever the result.
Cricket is an exciting game that encourages leadership, friendship and teamwork, which brings together people from different nationalities, cultures and religions, especially when played within the Spirit of Cricket”.
This is no different for those who represent the New York Kookaburras Cricket Club (NYKCC).
Players are to uphold the mantra, ‘it is a gentlemen’s game’.
NYKCC is a volunteered-based club.
On-field:
The NYKCC always play to win, but that should never come at the expense of upholding the values of ‘the gentlemen’s game of cricket’. We expect conduct that bestows respect and courtesy including but not limited to strictly NO sledging of the opposition, clapping the captain when he comes to the wicket, making the umpires job as comfortable and enjoyable as possible and of course accepting the umpire’s decision.
We don’t play Test cricket, but we expect players to look like they are. Uniform gear on and off the field, tucking our shirt in on the field etc, is all required.
Sometimes we may require to umpire ourselves when batting. This must be done from a neutral perspective.
Off-field:
We will be a guest at most fixtures. We expect all players to be respectful of the hosts, show gratitude, offer assistance where you can and leave all facilities in the same state, we found them.
Selections:
We will endeavour to announce sides within three to five days before a fixture. We all live in NYC and we know things happen, but if a player is to withdraw; a minimum 96 hours’ notice to the captain is expected. Again, remember the NYKCC is a volunteer-based club.