<p>County cricketers have been warned to stop spitting on the field of play or face disciplinary action from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).<br /><br /></p>.<p>Spitting, which is fairly common among cricketers around the world, is currently not among the offences that can attract penalty points under the strict ECB's disciplinary code.<br />But the chairman of the ECB's Cricket Discipline Commission is concerned about the habit.<br />"Two years ago, I raised this subject and asked if it were necessary on our cricket fields," Gerard Elias wrote in a letter sent to all counties and the Professional Cricketers' Association.<br /><br />"Apart from the health issues raised by some, I do ask again whether there is any need for it. I sense that if it is not checked there is a feeling that we should prevent it by regulation. Before going down that road, may I ask that we endeavour to stop the practice voluntarily," he added.<br /><br />According to a 'Daily Telegraph' report, his warning is the latest example of the ECB toughening its stance on player behaviour following complaints from umpires.<br />Elias has already launched a crackdown on players showing dissent at umpires' LBW decisions.<br /><br />Increasing television coverage of matches in recent years has probably brought spitting also to the attention of the ECB's disciplinary commission. Spitting on a cricket field is usually seen when a bowler walks back to his mark or by a batsman between deliveries.<br /><br />The ECB's disciplinary code was introduced more than 10 years ago and covers a range of offences from excessive appealing, foul language and violence. Players who accumulate nine points in a two-year period receive an automatic suspension.<br /><br />Last week, England off-spinner Graeme Swann became the first victim of the latest crackdown when he was handed a three-point penalty for raising his bat above his head when he was given out LBW by umpire Steve Garratt in Nottinghamshire's County Championship defeat by Durham at Trent Bridge.</p>
<p>County cricketers have been warned to stop spitting on the field of play or face disciplinary action from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).<br /><br /></p>.<p>Spitting, which is fairly common among cricketers around the world, is currently not among the offences that can attract penalty points under the strict ECB's disciplinary code.<br />But the chairman of the ECB's Cricket Discipline Commission is concerned about the habit.<br />"Two years ago, I raised this subject and asked if it were necessary on our cricket fields," Gerard Elias wrote in a letter sent to all counties and the Professional Cricketers' Association.<br /><br />"Apart from the health issues raised by some, I do ask again whether there is any need for it. I sense that if it is not checked there is a feeling that we should prevent it by regulation. Before going down that road, may I ask that we endeavour to stop the practice voluntarily," he added.<br /><br />According to a 'Daily Telegraph' report, his warning is the latest example of the ECB toughening its stance on player behaviour following complaints from umpires.<br />Elias has already launched a crackdown on players showing dissent at umpires' LBW decisions.<br /><br />Increasing television coverage of matches in recent years has probably brought spitting also to the attention of the ECB's disciplinary commission. Spitting on a cricket field is usually seen when a bowler walks back to his mark or by a batsman between deliveries.<br /><br />The ECB's disciplinary code was introduced more than 10 years ago and covers a range of offences from excessive appealing, foul language and violence. Players who accumulate nine points in a two-year period receive an automatic suspension.<br /><br />Last week, England off-spinner Graeme Swann became the first victim of the latest crackdown when he was handed a three-point penalty for raising his bat above his head when he was given out LBW by umpire Steve Garratt in Nottinghamshire's County Championship defeat by Durham at Trent Bridge.</p>