12:17pm UK, Saturday December 25, 2010
The war of words between England and Australia's cricket stars is due to continue as the hotly-contested Ashes series recommences.
England's Matt Prior showed his anger at being sledged after he lost his wicket
Despite its image as the 'gentleman's game', cricket has a long and colourful tradition of sledging among players.
But with tensions mounting as Australia levelled the series at 1-1 in the last test in Perth, some suggested the banter went too far.
Aussies Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle have been among those seen dishing out abuse, while members of the touring side Matt Prior and James Anderson have also had their say.
Players' offerings of pointed observations on opponents are unlikely to cease during the fourth match at the MCG in Melbourne.
Top Ashes Sledges
:: Mate, if you turn the bat over, you'll find the instructions on the other side Merv Hughes to Graeme Hick
:: Tufnell! Can I borrow your brain? I'm building an idiot Australian fan to England bowler Phil Tufnell
And England's Prior, who received jibes from Siddle after the Australian bowler saw him off in the last test, showed his anger in his newspaper column.
"There are not many boxing matches when a guy knocks someone out and then kicks him when him while he's on the floor," he said.
But Siddle described the episode as "part of the game" and defended the practice of sledging.
"It's always going to be there, we fight hard in the field and the emotions come out," he said.
"No doubt (it is) going to be around in the future as well. I think that's part of my game anyway. When I play my best that's what I'm doing anyway.
Peter Siddle believes sledging is part of the game
"Sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn't, in this case it has.
"It's just both teams going hard at it. It's good fun out there - they're at us, we're at them and it makes the game a bit more lively and no doubt the spectators like to see it."
Star England batsman Kevin Pietersen also dismissed calls for sledging to be banned, saying he enjoyed banter while at the crease.
"It's England v Australia, an Ashes series," he said.
"Blokes get the red mist occasionally and you're allowed to do that, things happen. You're playing for that little urn and it's historic, it's huge.
"But there's nothing that's been overboard, and if things go overboard match referees deal with it."
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