The International Cricket Council has approved significant changes to its code of conduct during its 75^th annual conference in Dublin. The board has also agreed to a plan for stabilizing the financial, cricket, and management structures at Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).

According to the revised rules that were recommended by the influential cricket committee of the ICC, ball-tampering has been upgraded from a Level 2 offence to a Level 3. The committee was concerned by the unfathomable turn of events during Australia’s tour of South Africa in March.

On the other hand, the maximum sanction for a Level 3 offence has also been increased. A Level 3 offence, which formerly attracted a ban for two to four Tests or four to eight ODIs, will now carry a ban for up to six Test matches or 12 ODIs.

“The maximum sanction for a Level 3 offence has been increased from 8 suspension points to 12 suspension points (equivalent to 6 Test matches or 12 ODIs),” an ICC media release said.

“Match referees will now hear Level 1, 2 and 3 charges with a Judicial Commissioner only hearing Level 4 charges and appeals.

“Players or support staff wanting to appeal a decision will now be required to lodge an appeal fee in advance which will be fully refundable if the appeal is successful.”

Previously, tampering with the the ball was a Level 2 offence, which resulted in a fine between 50 and 100 per cent of the match fee and/or a ban for one Test or two ODIs.

ICC has also added four new offences to the code of conduct. The offences include attempting to gain an unfair advantage (cheating, other than ball-tampering, a Level 2 or 3), personal abuse (a Level 2 or 3), audible obscenity (a Level 1), and disobeying an umpire's instructions (a Level 1).