There is a thin line between banter and unsportsmanlike conduct on the cricket pitch.
But David Warner is confident Australia know where it is and will continue to walk the line.
Warner was asked on Monday to explain the oft-used cliche regarding players’ conduct in the combustible four-Test series against India.
“There is a line you can’t cross,” Warner said.
“When you talk about sledging and stuff it can be anything more than what we’re talking about – physical contact or verbally swearing or something like that.
“It comes down to the umpires or the ICC (International Cricket Council) fining people.”
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell predicted an on-field physical confrontation will eventuate unless cricket officials urgently address the issue of sledging.
Mitchell Johnson’s dismissal late on day four of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG prompted another angry exchange with the Indians.
The Australian turned and gestured to them as he left the field.
Indian star Virat Kohli was then seen talking the umpires.
Kohli also scolded Brad Haddin on Monday.
In a column for Mumbai’s Mid-Day newspaper, Chappell said the on-field blowups had gone too far.
“The more players talk on the field, the more likelihood there is something personal will be said,” Chappell wrote.
“If something personal is said at the wrong time there will eventually be an altercation on the field.
“When that happens it will be players who are punished and as is almost always the case, the administrators will escape scot-free, despite being guilty of allowing the problem to escalate to this point.”
Chappell is worried about what might happen if an incident goes beyond angry words.
“Apart from the danger of an altercation on the field – and if you don’t think that could be ugly, just remember one player has a bat in his hand – there is the simple matter of the batsman being entitled to peace and quiet while he’s out in the middle,” he said.
Warner insisted both India and Australia remained on good terms, and doubted whether there would an end to the verbal spats.
“Both teams want to win, and they’re prepared to do whatever they can to win,” Warner said.
“Stepping over the line is probably not the right way to go about it, letting your bat and ball do the talking is the way to go best.”
