Australia asks officials and broadcasters to turn their microphones off

The Australia cricketers are known for their aggressive tactics while on the field. When the oppositions are having upper hands in the game, the Aussies do not hang back, instead, they start the verbal sledging. They’re regarded as one of the most aggressive sides, with their performances as well as their sledging.

As the Aussie tour to South Africa starts when the two sides meet in the 1st Test at Durban, the visitors have asked the local broadcasters and the match officials to keep the sound of stump mikes low when the ball is not in the play.

Australia thumped England in the Ashes as they notched up a 4-0 victory at home where they used the sledging tactics to their advantage. During the home matches, the channel 9’s microphone fader is turned up and down by an operator to cover the balls sound effects. Once the over is finished, the fader is turned down in Australia but in case of South Africa, the fader is on most of the times.

Australia reminding the ICC rules and regulations to the officials and broadcasters have asked the broadcaster to follow the rule when the ball is dead. Aussie spinner, Nathan Lyon while responding the question of the verbal spat between the two sides during the game said that the players know where the line should be drawn. He also mentioned that what happens on the field should stay on the field.

We know where the line is: Lyon on sledging

“What happens on the field stays on the field. We’re all grown men. We compete hard. We know where the line is. We headbutt it probably, but we are not going to go over the line,” the spinner said.

Lyon also suggested that the verbals are not one-way traffic but it comes from both the sides. He was quick to indicate that these mental tactics are part of the game. “It’s a mental game as well as a physical game. If something is going to be said, then no doubt it will be said from both camps,” Lyon replied to the answer.

Australia captain Steve Smith had earlier suggested that they will try to fire up South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada. Smith has also mentioned that If the opposition sledges him, he won’t mind the verbals as it fires up the batsman little more.

With the request of turning the microphone down, one can expect that the series is going to be firey one, and fan’s cam expect some heating moments in the matches as the two top sides fight out in the middle.