Sledging makes it entertaining cricket: Root

Tensions rise again as Australia close in on a 2-0 lead in Adelaide

ADELAIDE: A physical confrontation and verbal sparring again marred a tense day on Sunday as Australia reached the brink of an overwhelming victory against England in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Australia’s fearsome fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson brushed shoulders with England debutant Ben Stokes, and Matt Prior and Stuart Broad had a running verbal battle with several Australian players in the day’s final overs.

The Australians are poised for victory and a 2-0 series lead heading into Monday’s final day, with England hanging on at 247 for six chasing an improbable target of 531 runs.

The insults resurfaced Sunday but players from both sides said the confrontations were unremarkable in the tradition of hard-fought Ashes contests.

“I didn’t feel there was anything going on out there,” said England batsman Joe Root. “You want to play hard cricket and its Ashes cricket. You’d expect that.”

“You’d be disappointed if there wasn’t a bit of rivalry and I think it makes entertaining cricket to watch, and it’s certainly good to be involved in that out there in the middle.”

Root said he expected to be sledged by Australian players and was not put off by the verbal insults and sniping.

“I think they’re just trying to get under my skin and find a way to help get me out,” he said. “I’d expect any team to do that, not just Australia.”

Australia pace man Peter Siddle played down the frayed tempers, which needed the intervention of umpires Marais Erasmus and Kumar Dharmasena at times late in the day.

“There wasn’t a lot to it,” he said. “There’s no more than we’ve ever seen in the history of cricket. Being out there, there’s not much being said at all.”