Umpires don't really have the power now to call it out quite right, they normally have a word with the captain if it's getting out of hand.
I think myself cricket is getting more like football, the money is greater,the stakes are higher and that's like a booster for some of the behaviour we see today.
Remember the Clarke comment about breaking Andersons arm? We know both sides give it out especially Anderson, but that was over the line.
In our league cricket the behaviour in Middlesex is now so bad red cards have been introduced, if a players gets one, the captain automatically gets one too, so, say 3 match ban for the offender, same for the captain-this Is fairly new in our league.
And yes, the very best players in my time watching test cricket, didn't say much...Warne and Waugh and Anderson the exception..Most of the West Indies I watched as a kid said bugger all, Lara didn't say much,Tendulkar even less.
I don't think myself it can or will be stamped out totally, but something has to be done for the long term game I totally agree with you.
If a Captain was sent off in a test match for example, at say 1pm so the rest of the day(fielding) you played with 10...would the problem of excessive personal sledging by phased out?
It's an idea....it might not work. Those that run the game need to come up with something most of us would agree.
Really....the game is being harmed and the ameteur game will pay the price as well.