Photographs: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
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.
ASHES: It's pretty much a war of words on the pitch
Photographs: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
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
Photographs: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
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
Photographs: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
"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."
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