Eng coach goes bizzare, says turn down stump mike to allow 'sledging

London, Aug 2 (UNI) Even after facing all round condemnation for the on-field 'sledging' and 'jelly bean prank', Engalnd has gone a step further with coach Peter Moores coming up with a bizzare suggestion to turn the stump microphones down to stop outside world from hearing onfield ''quips and jibes''.

Moores insisted that Test matches should be played aggressively and that England's policy of constant chatter -- especially from wicketkeeper Matt Prior -- is within the spirit of the game.

He went further and suggested that he would like his players to be able to deliver their quips and jibes without fear of detection from the outside world.

''There is an issue as to whether the stump mics should be on quite so loud all the time. It's something we've discussed as a management team and we'll speak about with the match referee.

''There have to be some things which are left on the field to be fair to the players. That way they can go and play the game without worrying that everything they do and say is going to be broadcast,'' Moores was quoted as saying by Daily Telegraph.

''Sport is a battle. There is no point making noise for noise's sake, but we have talked about trying to get teams to appear to be more up for the challenge, so we are going to play with passion and commitment,'' he added.

This came even after England chairman of selectors David Graveney branded the England on-field behaviour during Trent Bridge Test as ''childish''.

Moores defended his team's overall conduct, arguing that their talkativeness in Nottingham was a result of stressing ''the need for the England team to be up for the challenge.'' However, experienced television experts with regular access to the live audio feed at international matches said they had never heard anyone go on like wicketkeeper Matt Prior during Trent Bridge Test.

''I've been listening to stump microphones for years now and I've never heard anyone go on like (the England wicketkeeper) Matt Prior.

He keeps on saying, 'Come on England, give me some Npower energy'.

We're convinced he's got some kind of sponsorship deal,'' an expert was quaoted as saying by The Guardian.

But Moores specifically stood up for Prior. ''That's how he usually operates, that's what he does and that's what he was selected for,'' was waht Moore said in support of his wicket-keeper.

The second Test at Trent Bridge was marred by England's ''puerile'' jelly bean prank, by excessive sledging and Indian pace bowler S Sreesanth's attempts at intimidatory bowling.

UNI