Ashes 2013-14: Former Australia captain Steve Waugh says David Warner 'crossed the line' with Jonathan Trott criticism

Waugh believes Warner was 'out of order' for making personal comments about Trott before his Ashes departure

Steve Waugh (C) has criticised David Warner (R) for his comments about Jonathtan Trott (L) (GETTY IMAGES)

David Warner “crossed the line” with his comments about England batsman Jonathan Trott, according to former Australia captain Steve Waugh.

Trott had a torrid first Ashes Test in Brisbane and after a second-innings dismissal was labelled as being "pretty poor and pretty weak" by Warner.

Trott was not the only England batsman to struggle in a match they lost by 381 runs, but he was brought into greater focus by Warner's comments and then when he on Monday flew home to deal with a stress-related illness.

Although he has been criticised for what he said, there is no suggestion Warner made the comments in relation to Trott's situation, but Waugh believes you run the risk of being accused if you make personal comments.

Speaking to the Sydney Cricket Ground's official website, he said: "I think Dave Warner's comments were out of order. I don't believe you should comment on someone else personally on the opposition.

"He can make a generic comment, but I think when you get personal like that, you cross the line on how players treat each other, and the respect they should have.

"So I didn't agree with Dave's comments. Having said that, he probably did smell a bit of fear in the England opposition players.

"Unfortunately for Jonathan Trott, it was a personal issue, and you don't want to keep going on about that. You just want him to get better and get well. So I think that hopefully has been put behind in that last Test match, and won't be brought up again."

There were other issues to arise at the Gabba, including Australia captain Michael Clarke being fined for a comment aimed at England's James Anderson which was picked up by the stump microphone.

It has brought the issue of sledging back to the table but Warner's comments aside, Waugh - who made 168 Test appearances in the Baggy Green - does not see too much of an issue.

"In the overall scheme of things I don't think there was that much controversy. I think I've seen Test matches like that played every week of the year," he added.

"Obviously, when one or two things went through the stump microphones which you're not used to, and it's a bit unfair on the player, that does tend to put a bit of fuel on the fire."

Australia have been keen to stress they will maintain their intensity both in terms of their play and their approach, but Waugh has encouraged them to reign it in a little.

"I think Australia probably need to be a little bit more clever about the way they're going about things. They're playing well, so they don't need to do so much talking out there now," the 48-year-old said.

Pace bowler Peter Siddle has indicated the chat will continue, though.

The Victorian was part of a three-man attack which terrorised England in Queensland and believes an aggressive approach is needed.

"It's a battle out on the field and we go about it how we think it will work," he said.

"We'll just keep playing hard cricket, we'll keep putting the pressure on them and keep going from there."

He also does not think Trott's situation should make his side check their behaviour.

"It's disappointing for him (Trott) to be going home, (we) wish him all the best, but we're going out there trying to win Test matches and however we do that, we'll play hard, aggressive cricket," he added.

PA