Cricket: Coaches may talk on sledging

Coach Andy Flower. Photo / Getty Images

England coach Andy Flower says he'll consider meeting Australian counterpart Darren Lehmann in a bid to set some sledging ground rules ahead of the second test in Adelaide.

Flower said the right balance needed to be found with on-field banter after details emerged of the vicious on-field exchange involving England's James Anderson and Australia's George Bailey and Michael Clarke.

It's been alleged No 11 batsman Anderson escalated that situation by threatening to punch Bailey in the face, prompting Clarke to respond with his, "get ready for a broken f***ing arm" comment which was picked up by a stump microphone and broadcast, costing the Australian skipper 20 per cent of his match fee.

Flower described David Warner as "disrespectful" and "ignorant" but said it would be inaccurate to link remarks made by the Australian batsman to the media about out-of-form Jonathan Trott's dismissals with the England batsman's return to England with a stress-related illness.

Flower doesn't want Trott's departure to become a topic of conversation on the pitch in Adelaide and will consider speaking with Lehmann.

"Now you have brought it up [talking to Lehmann] I'll have a think about it," said Flower.

"I think both sides must concentrate on playing the game of cricket on the pitch. In a competitive way but finding the right balance.

"A balance has got to be found on the pitch between competitiveness and not overstepping the line."

Former England player and respected commentator David Lloyd has said some of the first test sledging he heard over a stump microphone, which didn't go to air, "went too far".

"That [Clarke sledge] situation has been dealt with by the ICC so I don't really need to go into it," said Flower.

"We all have a responsibility - both sides and the leaders involved - to find the right balance and the way we play the game on the field. We're all adults out there."

Flower said he became aware of Trott's condition the first time they met as player and coach in 2009.

Despite the fact Trott had headed home just one test into the five-test series, Flower defended England's decision to pick him.

"He has handled it really well over the years and he has handled it well on the tour so far," Flower said.

"Just as if someone had a hamstring issue leading into the first test it is our job to assess the likelihood of him being able to last the test or that hamstring not hampering his performance."

- AAP