International Cricket Council chief Dave Richardson says the game had reached the "straw that broke the camel's back" with suspect bowling actions, forcing the governing body to launch its controversial crackdown on chucking.
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While some have welcomed the move, others have questioned the timing so soon before a World Cup however the ICC said it could not afford to wait until after their showpiece event, starting February.
Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal, Sri Lanka's Sachitra Senanayake and Zimbabwe's Prosper Utseya are among those who have been banned since the ICC's cricket committee in June recommended more robust procedures to identify suspection actions. The committee includes Darren Lehmann and Mark Taylor.
Chucking had not only become an issue at the elite level, Richardson said, but also at under-19 level.
"It was virtually nine months before the World Cup. If we decide that there's something wrong with the game, why should we wait until after a World Cup?" Richardson said.
"I think we'd reached that straw that broke the camel's back. There were just too many bowlers starting to emerge that people were starting to worry about.
"I think it was simply that we said "no, this is far enough". It's arguable that we should have taken this kind of action earlier. That we can take on the chin."
Umpires have become more confident in reporting suspect actions as a result of the ICC's harder stance. Previously, they had been reluctant to report for fear of the ramifications on their career if a player was subsequently cleared.
"Over the years, sometimes they felt like they were the ones being victimised for identifying bowlers with suspect actions," said ICC's general manager of cricket Geoff Allardice.
"The other thing that they want is a testing process or testing results that match up with what their observations were on the field.
"They're the two things that go together to giving them the confidence to express their views."
With testing now possible in four centres - Brisbane, Chennai, Cardiff or Loughborough - the ICC is moving to reduce the period players are required to be tested after being reported from 21 days to 14 days. At the World Cup and other ICC events the period is seven days.
"If you were reported in a World Cup for instance, you'd be straight off to the nearest testing facility, which we would have ready to go and the results would be fast-tracked," Allardice said,
"I think getting tests arranged at shorter notice is a distinct possibility.
"I think immediately after the World Cup there'll be some changes to the procedures along those lines. I think practically two weeks is about right. Sometimes you've got to get visas for players sorted and make sure the testing facilities are available."
Allardice said the ICC's chief executive committee will next month review the rule which allows players reported at domestic level to continue playing at international level and vice-versa.
Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez was reported during the Champions League last month but even if he was cited a second time and banned from the tournament he would still have been free to bowl in the Test series against Australia.
