Did Michael Clarke let the cat out of the bag at the Gabba on Sunday?

In suggesting Australian pace bowler Mitchell Johnson may break the arm of England's No. 11 Jimmy Anderson, Clarke's so-called ''banter'' seemed to confirm the Australian team's resolve to win the Ashes on the back of intimidatory quick bowling.

Michael Clarke's sledge detracts from his and Johnson's outstanding performances in the test. Credit:Getty Images

Clarke immediately went into damage control, playing down his sledge as ''part and parcel of the game''. His confidant, the serial tweeter Shane Warne has since chipped in, alleging Anderson threatened to punch Test debutant, George Bailey. Clarke was simply sticking up for Australia's 31-year-old new kid on the paddock, and so his sledge was justified.

Boys will be boys and, if Warne and Clarke are to be believed, a few onfield insults never hurt anyone. They're all part of the game. Perhaps Jonathan Trott may have another take on this.