Kevin Pietersen branded 'smarta--' by Mitchell Johnson

England batsman Kevin Pietersen, who irritated pacer Mitchell Johnson by sarcastically asking for his phone number on Thursday and again yesterday, was branded a 'smarta--' by the Australian speedster, as sledging took centrestage at the Ashes.

"I think he was being a bit of a smarta--. I don't think he was being friendly," The Sun quoted Johnson, as saying

Johnson had the last say by taking 6-38 with a brilliant display of left-arm swing bowling, including Pietersen's wicket for a third-ball duck.

"I didn't give him any phone number, that's for sure. I did say something to him but I can't give out that information. I was pretty happy to get his wicket," Johnson said.

"I need to keep my emotions in check. and I think I did that. I was fired up enough but also worried about where I wanted to put the ball. I enjoyed the wickets," he said.

After Matt Prior was dismissed, the England wicketkeeper exchanged verbal volleys with fast bowler Peter Siddle and captain Ricky Ponting.

Prior made a gesture some interpreted as though he was asking Siddle outside for a fight.

But an England spokesman insisted: "Matt says there was nothing about 'see you outside' in what happened. It was just banter, nothing more than that."