Sheffield Shield | CA slaps Chris Green with code of conduct breach after showing dissent to umpire

‌Chris Green was reprimanded by Cricket Australia a day after the batter showed dissent against the umpire’s decision in a Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at Perth. The New South Wales all-rounder was unhappy with the initial call and refused to leave the field as he exchanged words with the umpire.

Green tried to duck a bouncer from Matthew Kelly as the ball deviated off his helmet grill straight to the wicketkeeper. After the initial call was made, the on-field umpires had a lengthy chat before Gerard Abood reversed his original decision for Green to continue his innings.

Though the umpires concluded with the right call, the manner in which they arrived at that raised eyebrows. As a result, CA charged Green with a code of conduct breach even as they backed the match officials, while emphasising that the decision should have been taken more promptly.

"Under CA playing conditions clause 31.6, umpires are permitted to consult the other umpire to clarify points of fact so they can arrive at the correct decision," a CA spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo. "Whilst CA doesn't encourage this in the ordinary course, there are rare occasions where it is appropriate for umpires to clarify points of fact so they can arrive at the correct decision.

"CA acknowledge that the correct decision was ultimately made in this case, but would have preferred this to have occurred more promptly.

"It should be noted that under no circumstances did the batter's actions contribute to the umpire reviewing or overturning the decision and the umpire did not see a replay before the decision was reversed. CA also wishes to advise that Chris Green was issued a code of conduct breach for showing dissent at an umpire's decision during a match."

Western Australia coach and former Australian batter Adam Voges was also not impressed with Green’s reaction after being given out and was worried that it would set a wrong precedent in the game.

"I think the umpires make incorrect decisions and that's part of the game. I understand that," he said. "I guess probably it's just not a great look when a player remonstrates with an umpire for a period of time and then that gets overturned, and I guess the message that that sends is probably not a good one.

"So if he's been done for dissent, so be it. But I don't have much more else because I'm not out there and don't hear the conversations. We'll leave it at that."