Brisbane: The continuing on-field spats among players do not make for a good sight says Joe Root but the England batsman is sure that it would never deteriorate into cricketers punching each other like in some other sports.
Indian and Australian cricketers were repeatedly involved in verbal spats in the recent Test series and in a fresh incident on Sunday, Rohit Sharma and David Warner exchanged a few words during their ODI tri-series match.
Root, who was attacked by Warner in a Bar in Birmingham before the 2013 Ashes, says mutual respect was paramount.
"There have been a few things that have happened over the last six months and that is not good for the game. But I can't really see it going that far to lead to a punch-up. It's not ice hockey," Root was quoted as saying by 'Daily Telegraph'.
"I think someone would have to be in a really bad place to do that. You have to make sure you have respect for your opposition but still play hard cricket and play to win. It is about mutual respect for each other," he added.
Warner was fined 50 per cent of match fee for his spat with Rohit. When Root was asked whether he took delight from seeing Warner in trouble, given the explosive history between the pair, the Briton came up with a measured reply.
"I'm not really that concerned about his career. I'm more concerned about England cricket. There is the odd pun and stuff that is quite funny but I think that's where it stays at," he said.
Former New Zealand player Martin Crowe has expressed concern that such incidents could lead to blows being exchanged between international cricketers on the field.
In a column, Crowe favoured a red and yellow cards system for players for inappropriate behaviour, insisting that the existing fines system was not working.
According to the proposed system, two yellow cards would result in a six month ban. Root gave a thumbs up to the idea.
"It seems at the minute that people aren't happy with the way people are holding themselves on the field. And if that (a card system) is going to sort that out, then why not?," he said.
