http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Sledging-is-good-for-cricket-Bichel/2007/08/01/1185647981363.html

Former Australian Test bowler Andy Bichel has said sledging is good for cricket amid the furore involving England, India - and jelly beans.

Bichel said as long as there was no animosity off the field, mind games would always go on while players were fighting for their country.

"I think sledging is healthy for the game," Bichel wrote as part of a debate in Britain's The Guardian newspaper.

"I don't really call it sledging - at the end of the day it's gamesmanship."

His comments came after England captain Michael Vaughan apologised to India's Zaheer Khan, who was angered to find jelly beans scattered around the crease by opposition players as he batted in the second Test at the weekend.

The controversy branded "jelly bean-gate" and "the great jelly bean saga" has dominated the sports news in England since it happened on Sunday.

The England team has been criticised as "juvenile" and "childish" for resorting to practical jokes during a Test match.

Ah cricket. The sport of kings.

sledging, the action of emperors