Michael Clarke avoids sledging, so far

Greer McDonald

SLEDGING: Cricket fans James "Stocky" Stock (left) and Robbie Lange, from Christchurch.

A large Australian fan base is keeping a lid on the threatened Beige Brigade sledging at the first day of the trans-Tasman cricket test.

The Aussie fans have turned the tables on the Black Caps, warning fielders not to "bother running for it".

The Beige Brigade had earlier this week promised that Australian vice caption Michael Clarke would be ''copping it'' from the crowd during the first Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve. It is Clarke's first match since ending his high-profile relationship with celebrity model Lara Bingle.

The Basin was filling fast in Wellington this morning, with clear skies and warm temperatures adding to the atmosphere.

Cricket fans Robbie Lange and James "Stocky" Stock, both 22, travelled from Christchurch for the Test. They flew into the capital this morning and went straight to The Warehouse to buy a whiteboard which they could use to pen their sledging messages.

 "We came up with one about Bingle and Clarke before everything happened," Stock said.

"'Bingle isn't satisfied with Pup, she wants a real dog'. And we were going to write 'real dog' on our chests."

The pair are prepared to be warned about their sledging tone from Ground staff.

"If they tell us to tone it down, we'll just rub it out," said Stock

"They should be alright, it's not that bad. I don't think they're going to worry about what some spectators say."

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- © Fairfax NZ News

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