London — Global cricket boss Dave Richardson declared that ball tampering and bad behaviour threatened "cricket’s DNA" and would not be tolerated by fans in the wake of the Australia cheating scandal. The International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO said the "public has spoken" on bad behaviour in the game as he delivered the annual MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture at Lord’s on Monday. Richardson referred to events during the 2018 SA versus Australia series when Australia captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft were slapped with bans for their roles in a plan to change the ball’s condition using sandpaper. "Cricket’s DNA is based on integrity, but we have seen too much behaviour of late that puts that in jeopardy and this has to stop," Richardson said. "Sledging that amounts to no more than personal abuse, fielders giving send-offs to batsmen who have been dismissed, unnecessary physical contact, players threatening not to play in protest against ...
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