The ICC chief executive Dave Richardson has warned players against overtly aggressive on-field behaviour during the Cricket World Cup beginning Saturday.
"That (behaviour) issue has been addressed at all the pre-event team briefings. I suppose it started a few months back. The behaviour in some matches by some players was deemed to be unacceptable, and not a good example to young fans watching the game," Richardson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Richardson said the crackdown has already started and any untoward behaviour won't be tolerated.
"I think there has been something like 12, 13 Code of Conduct charges laid in the last few months," he said.
"So the crackdown has already started. The teams are going to be told that the umpires intend to remain firm, that the penalties handed out by the match referees will perhaps be a little bit more serious, or higher than before, but that hopefully everyone will be treated equally and fairly," added the South African.
