COLOMBO, Nov 18: ICC Match referee Clive Lloyd has warned that he will take a tough line over any misbehaviour by players during England’s cricket tour to Sri Lanka.

The ICC is determined to enforce discipline on the field and Lloyd has spelt the message out to captains and coaches. “I will not stand for stupid behaviour,” he said.

England’s series in Sri Lanka two years ago saw a series of verbal clashes, with six players receiving fines.

Former West Indies captain has already shown that he is not afraid to crack down on anyone failing to abide by the ICC Code of Conduct.

He handed out bans to Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar and Graeme Smith and Andrew Hall of South Africa during recent series between the two sides.

The 2001 series between Sri Lanka and England was described as the most difficult he had ever officiated in by then match referee Hanumant Singh.

He accused both sides of a lack of sportsmanship, particularly with regard to over zealous appealing. “The players must realise they are the foremost guardians of the game and they have a responsibility to play the game the way it was meant to be played,” he commented.

England all-rounder Rikki Clarke was recently in hot water after being accused of verbally abusing a Bangladesh batsman during the first Test, but he escaped with a fine.—PPI