Australia coach dismisses England peace talks

Lehmann believes the players will ‘work it out’ themselves during Ashes series

SYDNEY: Australia coach Darren Lehmann has rejected the idea of a meeting with England counterpart Andy Flower to set some sledging ground rules ahead of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Flower told British media that the right balance needed to be found with on-field banter after frustrations boiled over on the final day of the first Test in Brisbane, with Australian skipper Michael Clarke fined 20% of his match fee.

Clarke was caught by a stump microphone telling pace spearhead Jimmy Anderson to expect a broken arm, with leg-spin great Shane Warne claiming it was sparked by the fast-bowler threatening to punch George Bailey.

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

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

But Lehmann said talks on the issue were not necessary as he looks to build on Australia's huge 381-run victory in Brisbane that left England bruised and battered.

"From my point of view, Andy looks after his side and I look after my side, that's what you do in the game of cricket," he told commercial radio in Adelaide late Tuesday.

Lehmann said sledging was part and parcel of the game and England needed to live with it.

"They're all grown men out there, they will work it out. I just know we copped a lot in England and we didn't shy away from that.”