Steve Smith apologised to his Australia team-mates after being fined for dissent in the Sheffield Shield as captain Tim Paine reminded the squad of their responsibilities. (More Cricket News)
Ex-skipper Smith was hit with a 25 per cent fine of his match fee for his objection to being given out caught behind when representing New South Wales against Western Australia.
It was one of two high-profile reprimands in the latest round of fixtures, with paceman James Pattinson suspended for the first Test against Pakistan for using abusive language in Victoria's clash with Queensland.
Star batsman Smith admitted he must behave in a more appropriate manner out in the middle when dismissed.
"I came in and apologised to the group for getting a code of conduct," Smith said ahead of Australia's Test series with Pakistan.
"I don't think there was a great deal in it but I've copped it and I have to look at when I get out and the way I conduct myself.
"I know lots of kids watch me play and watch all of us play and the way we conduct ourselves when we get out as well as when we're batting.
"We have to be very mindful of that and sometimes just bite the bullet and just conduct ourselves in, I guess, a better manner at times.
"Sometimes your emotions can get the better of you out on the field. We're playing a game [where] everyone is trying to do their best and sometimes that happens.
"We sign up to values and in our contracts we've got a code of conduct there we have to play by. I got pinged and so be it. I felt I should apologise for that."
Paine believes the incidents are a reminder to the whole squad to act appropriately, no matter who they are representing.
"I think it's more just a reminder that we've got to set those standards all the time," he said.
"Whether we're playing for Australia or we're playing club cricket or we're playing for our states or we're not playing cricket, there are standards we set ourselves to live by day in and day out so it's important we do that whether we're on the field off the field, regardless of who we're playing for.
"We've had a couple of instances this week but we always revisit them. We did again last night, just to brush up on what's expected and what we expect of the group.
"Both of those guys apologised, they know that they fell a little bit short of what we set ourselves in the Test team.
"And the fact that it's important that we maintain that when we go back to state cricket and lead the way there.
"They're disappointed with that but we are going to keep on top of it and maintain the level that we've set so far in the last couple of years."
