The International Cricket Council has confirmed it will impose fines on any player or team member found to have taken communication devices into dressing room areas during international matches.

Cricket's world governing body took the decision at Wednesday's executive board meeting in Dubai in an effort to clamp down on corruption in the sport.

The new rule will come into effect in time for the forthcoming World Cup.

An ICC statement read: "The Board ... strengthened the ICC Anti Corruption Code by introducing penalties against players and support staff who breach the rules by carrying communication devices into the dressing room areas.

"The penalties, supported by the Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA), will include fines."

The ICC were quick to play down the significance of the ruling, which does not constitute a blanket ban on using social media before or after matches.

"This doesn't affect players because they do not have access to phones or computers during matches anyway," said an ICC spokesman.

"This is merely a precautionary measure and is not a major concern for us."