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The conduct of club cricketers in Barbados sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, the Barbados Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) has charged.

BCUA members are claiming that four-letter words have become commonplace in the Barbados Cricket Association's (BCA) domestic competitions.

It is a worry, especially when you have young players among older players and the conduct among some of the older players leaves a lot to be desired, said BCUA president Andrew Corbin.

You would think they would be a little more civil in their behaviour.

Corbin's view was echoed by BCUA vice-president Colvin Mascoll, who said there was a noted deterioration in the behaviour of cricketers.

There is too much cursing and too much swearing, Mascoll said.

It is standard practice now in Barbados' cricket that if a bowler bowls a bad ball and it gets thumped to the boundary, he swears. If a fielder drops a catch off his bowling, he swears.

If a batsman doesn't like a decision, very often he lets everybody know in no uncertain terms that he doesn't like the decision.

It was pointed out, however, that umpires have no power to punish culprits.

As far as I know, there are no penalties involved for the offenders, Corbin said.

The most the umpires can do is make a report and ask the captain to have control over his players.

Mascoll was of the view that the clubs themselves should make an effort to eliminate the problem.

The clubs have a responsibility to take action against players who bring the game into disrepute, he said.

The comments of the BCUA officials came during a Press conference at the BCA board room on Wednesday to respond to recent negative criticisms about the standard of umpiring in Barbados.

These accusations are baseless and without foundation, Corbin said.

Our umpires are among the best in the world, I say without fear.

The BCUA boss also took the opportunity to highlight the plans for the upliftment and improvement of umpires.

These plans include training programmes for new and present members, plans to recognise the significant contributions made by members and non-members, plans to host Press conferences, a willingness to assist players in the interpretation of the laws of the game and plans to put incentives in place to award umpires who show improvement from season to season.

© The Barbados Nation