'Rattled' England questioned Oz match officials on 'dangerous bowling' rules

England had reportedly become so 'rattled' by Australia's short ball assault in the Ashes opener in Brisbane that they questioned match officials about the rules on dangerous bowling.

Rarely has a Test team been so exposed by a sustained burst of short pitched deliveries in recent times, given that England was bowled out for 136 and 179 with only one batsman at No. 7 or lower in the order (Stuart Broad) scoring above eight in either innings.

According to Telegraph.com.au, a representative of the England coaching staff spoke to umpires after Mitchell Johnson ransacked the tourists in the first innings with one of the most stirring performances ever seen at the Gabba.

Although the discussion was informal and England did not intend to make an official complaint, the report mentioned that the query regarding this vague law showed how concerned they were about the hammering their side was copping.

The report said that cricket's indistinct laws on dangerous bowling contain a considerable grey area because it effectively leaves the issue in the hands of the umpires without applying specific parameters other than bowlers can deliver no more than two bouncers an over.

Umpires have the power to no-ball then suspend a bowler who is considered to have transgressed the rules of dangerous bowling but there is understandable reluctance by officials to enforce this rule, the report added.