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ASHES: It's pretty much a war of words on the pitch
Australia won the first Ashes Test by 381 runs to take a 1-0 series lead and the day was punctuated by chatter and finger-pointing between the two sides in the middle of the pitch.
-PHOTOS, Ashes 1st Test: Australia crush England
ASHES: It's pretty much a war of words on the pitch
England captain Alastair Cook refused the opportunity to criticise his opposite number Michael Clarke for his part in an angry exchange with James Anderson.
Though, it felt a little unnecessary.
ASHES: It's pretty much a war of words on the pitch
Cook's Australian counterpart Michael Clarke said he thought the sledging came about because both teams wanted to win so badly but that it was not a sign of a lack of respect."I think we all respect the game, the traditions the history. Australia versus England has always been competitive no matter which team has won.
ASHES: It's pretty much a war of words on the pitch
"On the pitch it's pretty much a war, isn't it?" said the England captain, agreeing that arranging back-to-back Ashes series was asking for trouble in that regard. "There are always going to be a few words, and I think that's pretty much how people want to watch cricket being played."