England Test captain Alastair Cook has urged caution over the potential introduction of sin-bins to cricket, warning that the game could end up becoming "too PC".
The MCC confirmed on Wednesday that it will trial a new system of yellow and red cards in 2017 to introduce in-play punishments for players who engage in sledging or otherwise disruptive behaviour.
Cook claimed that the game had already become "a lot quieter" in recent years following improvements to audio and TV coverage of matches.
"We've got to be careful," he told The Guardian. "Cricket needs characters, like Ben Stokes getting fired up after an 11-over spell in the heat and [at] altitude with no wicket. Then [Temba] Bavuma inside-edged him past the stumps. He showed emotion. But I'd be worried if we take all that out of it, which is the danger. It's important we don't go OTT on that.
"The players have a responsibility 100% to make sure the game is played the right way. There's a line which can't be crossed. [But] it almost inflames a situation when, if a bowler says something to a batsman, the umpire gets involved straightaway. It makes the situation a lot worse.
"In general, we've got to be careful. Some of the great stories come from sledging."
Cook's England are currently 2-1 up in a five-match ODI series in South Africa.
Neil Wilkes
