Sledging much worse in the past: Flintoff

Former England captain says remembers baptism of fire on international stage

The "speak English" controversy may not have been a good look for David Warner but former England captain Andrew Flintoff reckons sledging was much worse in his day.

International Cricket Council boss David Richardson has issued a warning in light of Warner's latest on-field spat, saying the world body will come down hard on players who verbally abused their opponents at the upcoming ICC World Cup.

Warner has come under fire for his flare-up with India's Rohit Sharma during their ODI in Melbourne on Sunday, in which he repeatedly asked his rival to "speak English".

However, allrounder Flintoff - fresh from his KFC T20 Big Bash League stint with Brisbane Heat - believed today's on-field banter paled in insignificance to his baptism of fire.

"Twenty years ago, sledging was 10 times worse," he told BBC Sport.

"Now, with stump microphones and cameras all over, everything gets picked up.

"One of the first Test matches I played against South Africa, there was one fella ... he was the worst I have ever come across - Daryl Cullinan.

"He was horrible. I was only young... the words he called me, I didn't even know what they meant.

"He just went at me and I don't think there's any place for that in any sport or any society."

Flintoff - who is unsure about his playing future after an underwhelming BBL debut - said there was a place for backchat but hoped the likes of Warner knew where to draw the line.

"I don't mind the odd chirp - Adam Gilchrist was fantastic at it because he'd do enough to put you off but not enough to upset you," he said.

"Shane Warne was similar.

"It seems you can walk onto the field, say anything you want about somebody and then walk off and forget about it.

"You wouldn't walk into somebody's office and let rip at them for 10 minutes and then go for a cup of tea.

"As people you know the difference - you know right from wrong."

Meanwhile, Flintoff was buzzing from chiming into England's preparation for their stunning nine-wicket ODI win over India at the Gabba on Tuesday night.

"England are on the verge of doing something special in this form of the game," he said.

"I feel sorry for them a little bit because there's a lot of baggage they carry around in one-day cricket.

"It's not their fault, it's everybody who went before them.

"We need to realise we have never been any good at one-day cricket - even when I was playing.

"I played in three World Cups and didn't get anywhere in any of them, but for the England team now it's a chance to blaze a trail and form an identity."