Australian captain Ricky Ponting has backed his player's recent record of on-field behaviour and believes the world champions have set new benchmarks in sportsmanship.
As the gamesmanship increased in both intensity and frequency in the lead up to the most anticipated Ashes series in 16 years, Ponting said that it was important that Australian players maintained a professional image.
"If you look back at what the team has been able to do over the last couple of years, I think we have really been able to change the perception of our team," Ponting said.
"I think certainly in the public's eyes but, more importantly, everyone we speak to involved in the game have been really impressed with what we have been able to do with our on-field attitudes."
Australia has been accused by several major cricketing figures of being too involved in the verbal side of the game, Ponting is confident, despite the recent publicity surrounding Shane Warne's behaviour in England, that the culture has changed.
Meanwhile, Warne has urged the media to seek two sides to the story when reporting on his verbal stoushes.
"I am sick and tired of being cast as the villain because English captains give one side of the story," Warne told The Times.
"I thought cricket was a non-contact sport," Warne said. "I was sticking up for my mate and letting Prior know what I thought about his behaviour.
"I do not like getting involved in tit for tat, but I am fed up with copping flak about sledging when there are two sides to the story."