South African Lorgat, a former first class player himself, felt sledging was not a new phenomenon and was not restricted to cricket.

"I think it will be difficult to ban sledging completely at the highest level. Sledging is a part of the game, it is part of any sport at the highest level," he said.

After an acrimonious tour of Australia, the Indian Board has proposed a complete ban on sledging and will take up the matter at the Annual General Meeting of the International Cricket Council.

Lorgat, however, said that the world body would have to intervene if the players went over the line.

"When it gets out of control, when it gets nasty, when it gets personal, the ICC will have to take the lead in stepping in to respond swiftly and decisively," he said.

The chartered accountant, who will take over when current ICC CEO Malcolm Speed steps down in June, denied that India wielded disproportionate influence in world cricket due to its money power.