South Africa and Pakistan have had the most disciplinary complaints made against them since a revised code of conduct was introduced in April 2002, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday.

But there was an overall drop in reported on-field incidents from 52 in the two years before the new code to 31 since its introduction and four of those complaints were not upheld.

Both South Africa and Pakistan faced six charges although one complaint against each was not upheld. Seven charges were laid during South Africa's tour of Pakistan last October, the most for a single series.

There was a reduction in charges against all teams with the exception of Bangladesh (three) and South Africa. West Indies did not have any complaints against their players.

"Particularly pleasing is the drop in the number of charges for dissent which have fallen from 18 in the two years prior to the Code to just six since it was introduced, one of which was subsequently not proven," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said in a statement.

"It also highlights the fact that the ICC and the match officials are very aware of the demands on players at the elite level. The Code is in place to deal with issues that are of genuine concern, not to penalise trivial behaviour."

The code has a four-tier system specifying the type of offence within each level, with recommended maximum and minimum penalties.