Cut out the swearing - it's just not cricket says the skipper
Michael Vaughan ordered his England players: cut out the swearing at the opposition.
The captain stepped up England's drive to improve on-field behaviour before the start of the third and final Test against India at The Oval today.
No bad language: Michael Vaughan has ordered a language clean-up
England return to one of their favourite grounds — scene of their Ashes triumph two years ago — on the day one of their heroes then, Ashley Giles, announced his retirement through injury.
The stakes are high, with England needing to win to avoid a first series defeat in this country since 2001. But, after the 'Jellygate controversy at Trent Bridge, Vaughan wants to win in the right way.
He said: "There were a couple of areas where we came close to stepping over the line. For one, I don't want to see swearing on the pitch. I want to see some gamesmanship and chirping, but swearing or an attack on a player is wrong. It is a natural reaction sometimes and that's OK as long as it's not aimed at a player."
Vaughan was advised by match referee Ranjan Madugalle that his team must improve their conduct.
"He thought there were a couple of issues at Trent Bridge where it got close to the line," Vaughan said. "I agreed with him."
Kevin Pietersen took part in England practice yesterday, having been bed-ridden with an infection on Tuesday, and will play.
Vaughan said: "He's had a net and will be fine."
The same is not true for Giles, whose retirement at 34 is not unexpected. The Warwickshire left-arm spinner has had recurring hip trouble since the Ashes win.
He fought his way back to fitness and was a controversial selection for the first two Tests of the Ashes series Down Under last winter.
He returned home early because his wife was ill and the hip problem returned on a pre-season tour with his county, forcing a second operation.
England have named an unchanged team for The Oval but last night put Andrew Caddick on standby after Chris Tremlett felt a twinge in his shoulder.
Caddick, 38, played the last of 62 Tests in January, 2003.
