London, Dec 18 : The Ashes in Australia recently saw a clash between its star players, with two shouting abuse at each other on the pitch.

England’s James Anderson and Australia’s Mitchell Johnson, 29, are said to have exchanged undignified comments in the current test match – the third in a series of five.

On the first day of the five-day encounter, Anderson began by taunting Johnson about being dropped from the previous test.

Johnson responded by saying that he had been busy modelling – a clear dig at Anderson for appearing on the front cover of gay men’s magazine Attitude.

Anderson is understood to have hit back with a derogatory reference to Johnson’s huge tattoos – a dragon smothering his right arm, and a large lion-like cat covering much of his torso.

Besides their bickering, Johnson also called England’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen a ‘smartarse’, while England wicket keeper Matt Prior effectively challenged Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle to a fight.

“Come with me, let’s have it right now, let’s go outside right now,” the Daily Mail quoted Prior as allegedly saying to Siddle.

It appears that taunting players in a deliberate attempt to put them off their game has become an established feature of cricket. (ANI)