Calcutta: With the reputation of the game taking a serious hit recently, thanks to the infamous incidents in the South Africa vs Australia Test series, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is intending to bring in "stricter and heavier" sanctions for the offenders.

And for that, the governing body of the game plans to form a panel of former cricketers, which will work with the cricket committee, to review the current sanctions and recommend what more is to be done.

Speaking at a media conference at the conclusion of ICC's five-day meet here on Thursday, chief executive David Richardson said: "We want to move towards stricter and heavier sanctions for ball tampering and all other offences that are indicative of a lack of respect for the game, for umpires, for fans, for media etc.

"It includes using offensive language, sledging, send-offs and showing dissent at umpires' decision... We want penalties that would act as proper deterrents. We will ask the cricket committee to review our current penalties and come forward with recommendations to the chief executives' committee and the ICC Board."

About the to-be-formed special panel, Richardson said: "The cricket committee will be bolstered by a panel of former cricketers... We are in the process of putting together one, depending on their availability... We are looking at Richie Richardson, Allan Border and Shaun Pollock for the same. Anil Kumble, who is the chairman of the cricket committee, will also be there."

Explaining the ICC's take on the spirit of the game, or rather the decline of it in recent times, Richardson said: "We want to encourage behaviour that epitomises the spirit of cricket. The reaction to incidents in the recent South Africa vs Australia series was an eye-opener.

"But to be honest, we were worried with player behaviour before those incidents as well. Too many incidents contrary to the spirit of the game have been occurring in cricket of late.

"We need to define what the spirit of cricket means in this modern day and age. We need to try and develop a culture of respect, both on and off the field. When one member (country) goes on tour to another member, they should be welcomed as honoured guests and treated likewise, on and off the field," Richardson added.

About the possibilities of introducing on-field sanctions for the offenders, Richardson said it won't be easy to introduce red and yellow cards in cricket.