What counts
Examples include damaging the ball to change its behaviour, using an unauthorised substance, deliberate distraction, and abusive or threatening conduct. The Laws treat these seriously, because they change the contest.
What the umpires do
The umpires warn the team, change the ball where needed, and award penalty runs. In serious cases they report the incident to the match referee or the league disciplinary body.
What the scorer records
- The time and the over when the umpires intervened.
- The penalty runs awarded and the reason.
- The change of ball, with the over and the time, if the umpires ordered one.
Why the book matters
A disputed incident is settled by the record. The scorer writes what the umpires said, not what the crowd thought they saw.
Citations
MCC Laws of Cricket, the section on unfair play. Check the league's disciplinary procedure for reporting.
Match questions
Questions scorers actually ask
- 01 Does the scorer decide unfair play?
- No. The umpires decide. The scorer records the decision and the penalty.
- 02 Does a change of ball get recorded?
- Yes. Write the over, the time and the reason, so the record matches the umpires’ decision.
- 03 Who handles a serious case after the match?
- The league’s disciplinary body or the match referee, as set out in the playing conditions.
