When you think of football in the modern era - of players diving, arguing with referees and general bad behaviour - it does not immediately offer itself as the obvious role model from which other sports could learn.
Indeed as it struggles with the machinations of making Video Assistant Referee (VAR) work ahead of the World Cup, it is a sport with many officiating issues of its own.
But as cricket it deals with one of the darkest weeks in its history following the ball-tampering affair with Australia, it could do with fully implementing the basic on-field disciplinary measures of the yellow and red card system used by football.
Yes, the Australia players involved in the ball-tampering affair are facing retrospective action for the incident in the third Test with South Africa, but imagine if immediate justice had been dealt with during the action in Cape Town?
What if umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth, following consultation with the TV umpire and conversations with Cameron Bancroft and Australia captain Steve Smith, had sent off Barncroft for the rest of the match for trying to tamper with the ball?
Australia would have been down to 10 men for the rest of the match, both in the field and when they batted.
The public would have seen justice dolled out fast that also had a consequence, with Bancroft, and the team, facing further penalties and a post-match investigation.
An update to the laws of the game, sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last September now actually allows an umpire to send off players during a match. But that is currently limited to acts of violence, or threatening an act of violence, on another player or officials.
That is not dealing with the other misbehaviour that is becoming increasingly prevalent in the game, which is too often justified by players as being either "banter" or being within "the line".
The ICC should consider expanding the sending off options to include ball tampering and other less savoury elements of the game, including sledging, send-offs when a batsman is dismissed, and physical contact.
If bad behaviour is to be eliminated, there needs to be a deterrent that is immediate, and enforced. Clearly cricket does not currently have that judging by some of the unpleasant conduct, from both sides, in the South Africa v Australia series.
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Read more
Steve Smith steps down as Rajasthan Royals captain over ball tampering scandal
Steve Waugh 'deeply troubled' by Australia's ball tampering row at Newlands Test
PM Malcolm Turnbull calls for end to sledging in cricket after ball-tampering row
Comment: CA must address cultural failings that led to ball-tampering scandal
Comment: David Warner needs to direct fighting talk to the right channels
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Not every offence needs to be a red card, of course. Umpires can caution a player if they feel they have done something that breaches the rules, or is against the "spirit" of the game.
Two yellows in a match and a player is sent off, like in football. Perhaps a one-match ban if three yellows are issued over a six month period.
That is easier to understand then the current demerit point system used by the ICC, and the convoluted and differing levels of offences.
Cricket is evolving, not all for the better, and the laws of the game need to be updated.
Too often clashes on the pitch have little consequence, only a post-match statement released to announce a player has been fined a certain amount of his fee and had demerit points put to his name.
Make it simpler and easier to follow and have more immediate consequences for bad behaviour and attempts at cheating.
Will players continue to push the “line” if their behaviour could impact directly on their team’s performance on the field in that match? Given the stupidity of the ball-tampering incident and the thought processes behind it that is debatable.
But fully following in the footsteps of football, as surprising as it sounds, could be a way forward and is something that should be looked at.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
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Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
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Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
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The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
MATCH INFO
FA Cup final
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The five pillars of Islam
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
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6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m; Winner: Ghaiyyath, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer).
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What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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