Sussex lead Spirit of Cricket table

15 July 2005

ECB have announced the MCC Spirit of Cricket scores as at July 15, with Sussex leading the way ahead of Derbyshire and Kent.

Alan Fordham, ECB Cricket Operations Manager (First-Class) said: “We are delighted with the standard of behaviour in the first half of the season.

“A mark of two equates to a team playing the game in good spirit and it is clear that all teams are either achieving this standard or very close to doing so.

“Players and counties are aware of what is expected of them in terms of discipline and this table is a clear indication they are responding.

“Sussex, Derbyshire and Kent are leading the way but there are a number of counties very close behind them providing plenty of incentive for all to maintain the high standards in the second half of the season.”

Richard Bevan, Chief Executive of PCA, said: “Our members understand that, as professional sportsmen, they are role models and that they should conduct themselves accordingly.

“A PCA questionnaire tabled at the start of the season revealed that 96% of professional cricketers were happy with the level of discipline shown on the field, with a massive 97% indicating their willingness to play the game hard but fair, in the spirit of the game, as promoted by MCC.

“This table is a testament to their behaviour on the field despite the intense pressure encountered in the modern game.”

John Stephenson, MCC Head of Cricket, said: "MCC was pleased to see the results of the PCA survey at the start of the season, in which the vast majority of professional cricketers emphasised that they felt the spirit of cricket was an important part of the game.

“The latest standings in the MCC Spirit of Cricket table show that these words are clearly being put into practise on the field. We have seen some tough, competitive but good-spirited matches already this summer, and I look forward to the rest of the season following the same pattern."

MCC Spirit of Cricket table, July 15 2005: