Rival skippers: Ricky Ponting (left) and Graeme Smith

The teams have traded insults ahead of the first Test which begins in Perth on Friday, prompting the ICC to step in.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said: "There have been comments that make it necessary to remind players about the importance of the spirit of the game.

"Players should be under no illusions. We expect high standards of behaviour."

South Africa have accused the Australians of using sledging to distract opponents.

Australia leg-spinner great Shane Warne, renowned for his on-field "discussions" with batsmen, fired back with his own salvo.

Told that South Africa were employing a psychologist, he said: "They might need one by the time we've finished with them."

So far this year 38 players and officials worldwide have been charged with misconduct breaches, one more than the whole of 2004, with the busiest fortnight of matches still to come.

But legendary Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson has branded the ICC a "waste of space" for getting involved in pre-match banter.

"They ought to get their own house in order rather than worry about the players - the ICC do nothing," he said.