Moore Wants Stump Microphones Switched Off

England coach Peter Moores has called for stump microphones to be switched off to prevent the on-field sledging reaching the audience and sulleying the cricketers' image.

Strongly backing his players who have come in for widespread criticism for indulging in sledging in the second Test against India at Trent Bridge, Moores said these matches should be played aggressively without the players' privacy getting affected.

"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 straight into someone's lounge," Moores was quoted as saying in the papers on Thursday.

The England coach said he would take up the matter related to stump microphones with match referee Ranjan Madugalle.

"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," Moores said.

The stump microphones are controlled by the production crew, who have to follow strict guidelines laid by the International Cricket Council.

According to the ICC rules, stump microphones should be turned on whenever a ball is live. That period includes the time when a batsman takes guard, between a bowler's run-up to the time the ball reaches or passes a batsman, and from the time a fielder throws the ball back.

Defending England wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who was constantly chatting during the Indian innings, Moores said such activities made any sporting event more interesting.

"Sport is a battle and that's what makes it so enthralling to watch. If people weren't bothered about it or didn't get so emotionally involved then it might become quite bland to watch," he said.

The England coach also downplayed the jelly bean incident during the second Test, saying it is meaningless.

"It was meant to be a joke and now looks a bit silly. I think people will try and read things into it, but it has no meaning whatsoever," he said.