England Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke has another pop at sledging in this Ashes series Michael Clarke and Jimmy Anderson have to be separated by umpires in the first Test. Pic: Mark Kolbe Source: News Limited THE sledging war which has engulfed the Ashes battle has reached the top echelons, with chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board Giles Clarke admitting he has discussed the matter with his Australian counterpart. Clarke, in Hobart on Monday inspecting Blundstone Arena, said he has talked about the on-field heat "at length" with Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards. Several ugly spats between Australia and England players have emerged from the hotly contested series, which Australia wrapped up in Perth last week by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead. It started with Michael Clarke's "get ready for a broken f---ing arm" comment to James Anderson in Brisbane, which came on the back of Anderson allegedly threatening to punch debutant George Bailey. David Warner had also labelled Jonathan Trott - who later headed home with a stress-related illness - weak and scared at the Gabba, while quicks Mitchell Johnson and Stuart broad have been involved in heated exchanges with opposition batsman. Physical contact between Johnson and Ben Stokes at the Adelaide Oval also sparked a war of words during the second Test. "The Ashes is an iconic series and it's vital there is a lot of interest across both nations and that the games are played at grounds where these is a sensible amount of banter but also appreciation of skills from the other side," Clarke said. The banter of the Ashes will never go away, it is what makes it but it is important to play these games in an excellent spirit off the pitch as well as on. Banter between the players should stay on the pitch, it shouldn't come off it, I think we are all very clear about that. Wally Edwards and I have discussed the matter at length, we are both of the same opinion and I think everybody in society would agree there is nothing edifying about young men swearing. It is a deeply unattractive activity and is nothing to be proud of. There are good sledges and sledges which are probably best left in the dressing room. Clarke also had no concerns with the sudden retirement of leading spinner Graeme Swann, denying it is a by-product of the tourists' shambolic few weeks. Each player must make his own decision and Graeme has had a great career for England, he has been a remarkable servant to the game. With all our players, they make their minds up when they decide to retire. Since I've been chairman I've had Michael Vaughan and Andrew Strauss decide to retire during a series, so it does happen and players must be allowed to make their own judgements.