Hong Kong and Canada team captains reprimanded for Code of Conduct breaches at ICC U19 Cricket World

Captains James Atkinson (Hong Kong) and Rustum Bhatti (Canada) have both been found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during their match in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier on 5 September 2009.

It is the second match this week in which Atkinson has been reprimanded after he was found guilty for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct on two occasions during his country's match against Afghanistan on 4 September 2009.

ICC match referee David Jukes found both Atkinson and Bhatti guilty of failing to control their respective teams in a hearing after play concluded in their match in Toronto, Canada.

Atkinson and Bhatti were found to have breached Clause 2 (Level 1) of the ICC Code, which relates to conduct that brings the game into disrepute for the game on 5 September.

The Hong Kong captain's earlier charge came after he was deemed to have breached Paragraph CC 1.3 of the ICC Code, which relates to showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse. He was also found to have breached Paragraph 1.2 of the ICC Code, which relates to the abuse of cricket equipment.

"Both captains failed to control their teams and, as a consequence, their collective poor behaviour brought the game into disrepute," said Mr Jukes.

"While Mr Atkinson has apologised for his earlier breach from 4 September and shown a degree of remorse for his actions, there is no place for this sort of behaviour on any cricket field, let alone on the international stage.

"On a more positive point, however, I am sure that everyone will have learned from today's experience. Certainly, the captains will have received a timely reminder of their specific responsibilities," he said.

Umpires Karran Bayney and Norman Malcolm brought the charges on both players for 5 September. Mr Jukes reached his conclusion following a hearing attended by the charged players, the team managers, team vice-captains and match umpires.

Umpires Niels Bagh, and Roger Dill brought the charge against Atkinson for the 4 September match.

In that case, Mr Jukes reached his conclusion following a hearing attended by Atkinson, Hong Kong coach Aftab Habib and match umpires Roger Dill and Niels Bagh.

For Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.