Peter Siddle insists malicious verbal attacks are commonplace in Test cricket and will carry on for the rest of the Ashes series between Australia and England.
Play on the fourth day at the Gabba was especially heated, with Australia captain Michael Clarke fined for his coarse language when dishing out some verbals to England's James Anderson.
“It’s just natural,” Australia paceman Siddle told Radio Sports National on Tuesday. “It wasn’t any different to normal. If it hadn’t of been on the mic a lot people would not have said so much about it.
“The most disappointing thing is that it actually came up (on the broadcast). It’s not meant to at that time and it is very stiff for Michael.
“Throughout the series there will be more of it going on but it will be under control.”
According to broadcaster Channel Nine, there was continuous sledging from other players, especially Anderson, that never went to air.
Siddle said Anderson was one of the most prolific sledgers in world cricket and had every right to be due to his long-term success as a Test bowler.
“Anderson brought it on himself. So fair’s fair,” Siddle said. “There was a lot of other stuff going on and James Anderson was in the thick of it and a culprit for it all happening.
“He is one of the leading wicket-takers in the world so he is happy to have a chirp but as long as Mitchell Johnson keeps bowling them around his ears that will quieten him up pretty quickly.”
Siddle, yet to win a series against England from three attempts, said he was surprised at how easily Alastair Cook’s team wilted under the pressure of the hosts’ pace barrage.
“Especially with the second innings. I think in the first innings we took them by surprise a little bit,” he said. “But in the second innings, with some of the plans for some of their players and the way we got the wickets, it was disappointing (for England).
“To have such a convincing win shows the position we are in and the strength around the side at the moment.”
The Victorian used the interview to wish Jonathan Trott the best in his recovery from the stress-related issues that have forced the number three batsman to quit the Ashes series and return to England.
“Everyone knows what a class player he is. For us it’s a big bonus but for him personally it is disappointing,” he said. “I hope he comes back strong after whatever it is. He is a class player and you want to play against the best players in the world.”
