Instead of admonishing Matthew Prior for his poor footwork, England coach Peter Moores defended his gabby gloveman by asking that the stump microphone volume be lowered so that less of his inane chatter is heard on television. As a former wicketkeeper Moores should be telling Prior to lower his personal chat volume and raise his standards.

It's true that a wicketkeeper needs to ensure the fielding is lively, but he should do so by setting a good example and contributing to the team thought process, rather than talking a lot of drivel. The fact that a constant stream of inanities is now seen as "part of the game" is an indictment of the numerous sheriffs who supposedly control the game, as well as those who indulge in this practice.

The more talk that is allowed on the field the more likely it is that something personal will be said. If a player is verbally accosted at the wrong moment there is the likelihood of fisticuffs on the field and in the current emotionally charged atmosphere, with a decider looming at The Oval it would be better if Moores told Prior; "You are here to be seen and not heard."

It is an indictment of Prior's footwork that he has already allowed more than three times as many byes as his predecessor Chris Read in two fewer innings. If you think this comparison is unfair, then Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who isn't exactly twinkle toes behind the stumps, has only allowed 27 more byes than Prior in three times as many innings. At least Dhoni is smart enough to keep relatively quiet behind the stumps.

The India versus England series has been exciting, with loads of good bowling, a wonderful mixture of aggressive and determined batting, and no shortage of drama. It has been extremely watchable because the two curators so far have provided pitches that have given every player a chance to display his skill. Too often a pitch favours either batsman or bowler but this time the balance has been perfect, which has complemented the skills of two pretty evenly matched sides.

What would happen if the non-striking batsman started chatting to the bowler as he was about to commence his run-up? There would be a hell of a fuss and it would quickly put an end to on-field chatter being a one-way street

The administrators should take note of the standard of play in the first two Tests. It has been exciting because of the nature of the pitches and because the ball has swung consistently, therefore testing the batsmen fully. This has resulted in first-innings scores that leave both teams with a chance of victory and plenty of time to chase the win. These are exactly the results the administrators should be trying to replicate every time they write a law or issue an edict. If an edict should come from this series, it is one that says: "We've had enough of the endless and mindless chatter on the cricket field."

It is not "part of the game". Batsmen are entitled to a bit of peace and quiet when they are out in the middle. What would happen if the non-striking batsman started chatting to the bowler as he was about to commence his run-up? There would be a hell of a fuss, and on-field chatter would quickly cease to be a one-way street. I don't understand why batsmen haven't resorted to this ploy already.

England is hardly the only team that indulges in this irritating tactic but by suggesting the microphone volume be lowered, Moores is adding his name to the list of people who condone on-field chatter. The fact that Prior has succeeded an equally gabby gloveman, Paul Nixon, means mindless chatter is now entrenched as an English tactic.

So far this enthralling series hasn't been spoiled by any on-field shenanigans. Hopefully that will remain the case and the great jelly bean saga will prove to have been nothing more sinister than the England players throwing sweets at their wicketkeeper in an effort to shut him up.

Boucher has been chattering inanely for years, along with appealing loudly for 'edges' he knew fine well were nowhere near the edge. His accomplice in this conspiracy, Donald, now coaches the England bowlers, and it is no coincidence that the England team are now resorting to non-cricketing tactics to try and intimidate the opposition - note poor Sidebottom's face paint - identical to Donald's bottom lip and nose make up. At least Donald tried to look angry - then normally good-natured Sidebottom merely made the Indian batsmen (and Sir Ian) role around laughing!
As for jelly beans and sledging - again, it has clearly come from the SOuth Africans now infiltrating Engloish cricket (Pietersonhjas grown up thinking himself superior to 'Indians' and other non-white people in his country and he obviosuly relishes teh opportunity to be rude to them at their cousing from the sub-continent at any opportunity).
Please, England, stop adopting the SOuthern hemisphere tactics of 'gamesmanship' (cheating and racism) and get back to playing cricket. You tried it once - and you lost the match. Stick to cricket - better to play the game like gentlemen and lose than be silly prats - and still lose.

Well said, Ian. The best wicketkeepers over the from Tallon to Knott to Kirmani to Marsh have shown that it is not yapping but snapping (the ball) is what counts! Moores clearly thinks that it is the microphones which are the issue - it is his head that he must have examined. The icing of course is that all this inanity has cost England reaching a position of losing a home test series. A good wake-up call for them and a shot in the arm for India at the beginning of a hectic season

It seems as if the gift of the gab (yap?) is more wanted skill than good pouching for the English team. Can't get them out by playing well, chatter them to death seems to be the motto. Wonder if the so called English Manners have degenerated. I disagree that the inanity cost them the test. Sheer bad performance and such nonsense on top of it! English selectors and public must be very forgiving. I sometimes wish the Indian public were so forgiving instead of torching/stoning property on our losses in the field.

Wicketkeepers should shut up; cricket is a gentleman's game and if these guys need to resort to sledging to win, they shouldn't be playing at all.

Hmm. I usually agree with you Ian unreservedly and today is no different! There is a perception oop North so to speak that this has all grown from the 'Aussie' practice of sledging and South African racism. These comments about Southern Hemisphere racism and the like are simply incorrect. True, I have only about 40 years experience of watching cricket but I think it's something that relates to how the different countries approach the game and how that translates onto the field. We have seen countless examples of 'every-ball-hysterical-appealing' from sub-continental sides over the years which originated in their enthusiasm to beat the then perceived 'major sides' but which they soon realised was a great way to pressurise umpires and has now pretty much caught on globally and only makes the umpires job harder and of course cricket in Oz wouldn't be the same without the aussie drawl over the stump microphones. But Gilchrist and co always know where the line is drawn, maybe Boucher doesn't but evidently he is not alone there. If we relate it to sportsmanship, let's all remember Gilchrist for example is also a 'walker'. I think this 'entrenched' behaviour on England's part is simply their version of trying to fight fire with fire and they have let the pendulum swing too far. English players should just do what they do. They don't do 'sledging' well so give it up and focus on being themselves; show some stiff upper lip and get on with it. I admit I do cringe when I hear some of the mindless babble. Love the idea about talking to the bowlers! I wonder what Allan Donald would have made of that!

It's good to see someone finally say something about this subject. When England toured Aus. we felt compelled to refer to English keeper Nixon as "Gobby".
It is not necessary to act like this. It doesn't set a good example to young would-be keepers (Alan is one of these).
Someone should tell them that if you play well and win, that speaks volumes without ever having to open your mouth.