'Jellygate' just a mix-up: England wicket-keeper

London, Aug 1 (UNI) England wicketkeeper Matt Prior today said none of his team-mates threw jelly beans at Zaheer Khan but they were left behind near the wicket after drinks break.

''When drinks are brought out, we are also given sweets to keep our energy levels up and I think a couple dropped near the wicket.

''There was a bit of a misunderstanding and Zaheer Khan thought we were throwing jelly beans at him, which was not the case,'' Prior said in his BBC Sport column.

''He (Zaheer) faced one ball and suddenly reacted towards Kevin Pietersen. Nothing was said to provoke him.

It started off being a joke but it's been taken in completely the wrong context,'' he added.

India's second Test victory at Trent Bridge included a row over jelly beans on the pitch. Prior was in the middle of the action on Sunday as Zaheer Khan argued with Kevin Pietersen, accusing England's fielders of throwing sweets at him.

Prior also said the flared tempers between England and India on the 'jellygate' affair have been blown out of proportion.

''Sometimes issues are blown up to become bigger than they really are. That is what happened with 'Jellygate.

''I don't think there was any more or less aggression than there was in the West Indies series, or any other Test series I would imagine,'' Prior said.

England Chairman of Selectors David Graveney also denied that the hosts' tactics had overstepped the mark.

''No, I don't. I don't think it was particularly different from any other Test match,'' Graveney said.

But, he admitted there were a number of incidents from both sides which were close to the mark.

''There were some issues on both sides. You've got people bowling beamers, you've got people going across the crease,'' he said, adding, ''At the end of the game everybody seemed to shake hands.'' Graveney though advised both sides to keep their emotions in check ahead of the third and final Test at The Oval, starting August 9.

''Obviously they have got to be careful then don't go across the line but I can imagine The Oval is going to be a really full-on contest,'' Graveney added.

UNI