Sledging Round-Up

Australia have vowed sledging silence regarding Jonathan Trott's swift exit from the Ashes series down under. They have promised silence about his condition and will not use it as a sledging topic for the remaining tests in the series.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann has spoken out about the matter saying "That certainly won't be talked about in this Test match. We wish him all the best in his recovery." Lehmann also mentioned that Aussie batsman David Warner has been "dealt with" in regards to his comments made about Trott's opening test performance.

Johnson has also spoken out about comments made on the opening test; "Their coach wants a truce from what I heard. That's not going to change from our end. I think it's worked for us. I definitely think they're rattled by it. They don't like it at all."

As well as Warner's comments, Michael Clarke also used some choice words, this time directed at Jimmy Anderson. Johnson said he was right to stand up to Anderson, "I thought it was really good what Michael did as a captain. That's what you want your captain to do - stand up for you - and that's what he did." The Aussie captain was fined 20% of this match fee for threatening to break Jimmy's arm. Comments that were captured by the stumps mic.

England bowler Stuart Broad is unconcerned by Aussie sledging and has laughed off the pre-series built up bashing that was primarily directed at him, as Aussie papers refused to picture his face or mention his name in print. "It's Ashes cricket, England versus Australia, and there is a lot of passion out there. You come to expect a bit of sledging in Ashes cricket. It's up to the players to take responsibility and make sure it doesn't go too far." Off the sledging that occurred during the first Test match he said "Speaking from a personal point of view, I don't think it was over the top" as Broad was continually booed in the Brisbane stadium.

Jimmy Anderson has even chimed in, calling sledging a skill. "Certainly in the last few years I've developed it as a skill and it has helped me take the wickets I have." He also mentioned the first Ashes Test match sledging saying, "The atmosphere during the last hour in Brisbane was as hostile as I have experienced. I have absolutely no problem about any of what the Australians were doing on the field, I probably dish it out more than most in the field, so I generally get it back more than most. I expect it and accept it."

Well, there you go. Whether it's wrong or right, it doesn't seem to be ending any time soon!

Thursday 5th December 00:00 GMT.


Ball on Willow.