Two new codes of discipline intended to stamp out bad behaviour by players have been introduced this season.

The England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council have both recognised the need to improve the image of the game.

The ICC code, which comes into force for the second Test between the West Indies and India, has been structured into four levels of offence ranging from dissent to physical assault.

Suspended bans have been scrapped and replaced with a maximum life ban, and a right of appeal has been incorporated into the code.

ICC General Manager of Cricket, Dave Richardson, told BBC Sport Online that the previous system was too vague.

"We needed to introduce a clearly defined set of regulations to let players know where they stand in relation to discipline.

"It is very difficult to interpret the wording of 'contrary to the spirit of the game' or 'bringing the game into disrepute'.

"It has been acknowledged that we need to define the image that we would like to project of the game.

"Golf and tennis had clear parameters of how to protect that image and so, now, have we."

The ECB has also introduced a new system of fixed penalties for specific offences.

First Class Cricket Umpires Association chairman Allan Jones, said discipline in the county game has worsened.

"Overall there has been a gradual deterioration in the standard of discipline by players in the last 10-12 years," he told BBC Sport Online.

"There is now a lot of dissent against umpires' decisions and a tremendous amount of unecessary appealing - which is basically cheating.

"We have got to stamp this out because this filters down to schoolboys who see this going on and then try to emulate their heroes.

"Top cricketers have got to be more positive role models.

"The new codes of conduct in Test cricket and in the English first class game are excellent and they should put the wind up a few players."