Aussie wicketkeeper denies sledging England has gone too far: 'It's a bit irrelevant'

December 11, 2017
Australian wicket keeper Tim Paine. Photo: Graham Morris (Tel: +44(0)20 8969 4192 Email: sales@cricketpix.com) 16/07/10

Ashes tension continues to bubble ahead of the third Test, with Tim Paine rejecting claims Australia crossed the line with their sledging in Brisbane.

Former England keeper Matt Prior suggested the tourists were "quite upset" about comments at the Gabba that "quite frankly shouldn't be on a cricket pitch".

Former captain Bob Willis made similar allegations, while Jonny Bairstow noted he would take the matter further if some verbals directed at him in Brisbane were repeated throughout the five-Test series.

It has set the scene for another spicy clash, with Australia pushing for an unassailable 3-0 series lead in the game that starts in Perth on Thursday.

"There's been nothing that I've heard that has been too untoward or anything that has been particularly nasty. It's just been tough Test match cricket," Paine told reporters in Perth.

"It's been played in pretty good spirit from what I've seen and heard.

"Both teams have - despite what it may look like - a huge amount of respect for each other.

"I was (surprised by Bairstow's take). I certainly haven't heard anything that has crossed the line."

Marking out that line is notoriously easier said than done. Most Australian players argue it is the responsibility of the match referee and umpires.

England skipper Joe Root quipped in Adelaide prior to the second Test that "their line and our line are slightly different things".

Steve Smith's side needled their opposition about a midnight curfew, resulting from revelations that Bairstow headbutted Cameron Bancroft during their first night on tour, throughout the Adelaide Test.

England's latest booze-related bother, the suspension handed down to Ben Duckett for pouring a drink on the head of Jimmy Anderson, hasn't gone unnoticed.

"I'm sure someone will bring it up at some stage," Paine said.

"But what's happening in their camp off the field has no effect on the way we're going to go about our cricket.

"I haven't paid a hell of a lot of attention to it ... it's a bit irrelevant."

David Warner's demand that England "shouldn't headbutt our mates" is one of few on-field barbs to be broadcast during the five-Test series.

Most of the on-field banter to enter the public domain has been inoffensive. Smith sledged Craig Overton in Adelaide about his lack of pace - only to be bowled by the debutant - while Moeen Ali was taunted about his promotion up the order.

Anderson got stuck into Smith at both the Gabba and Adelaide Oval - although it's unclear what he said.

Paine was involved in one of the most heated episodes of the second Test, which came late on day four when Root pointed his bat at the keeper and umpire Aleem Dar stormed in from square leg.

"There wasn't too much to it. It was played up a bit. He raised his bat to the umpire to let him know he hit the ball," Paine said.

"I said just to let the umpire umpire, and you bat. He said no worries, you wicketkeep."

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