mvaughan

There's been plenty of chat in the Media and amongst former Test stars about the conduct of the players during the Third Test. Too much sledging, exuberant celebrations at key moments, bowlers giving dismissed players the send off. It's over the top, it's not in the spirit of cricket, they say.

I disagree. This is the Ashes after all, the battle that English and Australian players grow up watching and dream of playing in. There's huge pressure and huge tension out there so it's normal that when a player wins a mini-battle, be it dismissing a key batsman or getting to a century, emotions are displayed. It's how players, for a brief moment, relieve the pressure.

As for sledging, this is Test cricket. If you can't take it and let it get to you, you're not cut out to be playing at this level. And remember, there's nothing in the rule book to say you can't give as good as you get! And it may feel like a rather lonely place when you're out in the middle with just your partner for company but at some stage you're going to be in the field yourself and the players who have been dishing it out will have to endure some 'mental disintegration' of their own.

For almost the whole of the Third Test Australia were on top and most of the celebrations and 'verbals' were coming from them. That's part of the reward that comes from being in command. If the tables turn at Melbourne I'm sure it will be the England players getting in the Aussies' ears. This has been a passionate and tough Series so far and that's great for the game but at no stage have I seen a player on either side overstep the mark.

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