In light of the recent events of poor on-field behavior and ball-tampering, ICC are set to review its code of conduct. They are also reportedly going to make ball tampering a bigger offence than how it is currently viewed.

Ball tampering is a level 2 offence and is set to be put in a higher category. The review of the code of conduct, meanwhile, will try to draw a clear line between proper and improper behavior. ICC CEO Dave Richardson stressed that the recent incidents of poor behavior have fast-tracked ICC into taking action.

"We have seen a number of incidents of poor player behaviour in recent weeks including things like some ugly sledging, abusive language, send-offs, dissent against umpire decisions, we had a walk-off in the tri-series in Sri Lanka, and now this ball-tampering episode in the latest series," Richardson said.

"In fact, player behaviour and player conduct were already on our agenda for the April meeting, but I think what happened in Cape Town has certainly created an additional sense of urgency that something needs to be done."

The meeting will include ICC cricket committee, the MCC and some former players who are identified by ICC as cricketers that played the game with the right spirit. Richardson mentioned some names as an example of players who set examples of proper behavior during their playing days.

"Players from the past that we think have epitomised the way the game should be played. Names that come to mind immediately are Allan Border, Anil Kumble, Shaun Pollock, Courtney Walsh these are all players that played with aggression, passion.

“Richie Richardson will be another one. He was brilliant when he was captain of West Indies. These are players that played with passion and aggression and determination but never ever overstepped the mark. Never were abusive. Never resorted to personal sledging. And - to my knowledge anyway - no tampering of the ball."

Richardson then called for ball-tampering rules to be clearer, saying: "It has been an eye-opener for me that, 'Hang on, ball-tampering around the world is considered cheating.' And if we are going to take the attitude that everyone does it, if we allow a little bit of lip balm on occasion, raise the quarter seam on another, then where do we draw the line? Is that okay and using sandpaper is not? We probably need to look at it again. Let's be absolutely clear what we mean when we say ball tampering is not allowed. And what we mean by ball-tampering."

Finally, he added that the current reaction to ball-tampering suggests that it is viewed as a serious crime by the world and, as a result, the punishment imposed on it needs to be reconsidered.

"It is only subsequently that we have come to realise that, 'Hang on, the world, not only Australia, regards ball-tampering in a very serious light. That, I think we identified as, the need to look at the level of the penalty imposed specific to ball tampering."