England's Paul Collingwood laughed off his latest sledging by an Australian - this time from the public address announcer at last night's Twenty20 defeat.

Collingwood was famously locked in a verbal battle with Hampshrie skipper Shane Warne during the Sydney Test in which the latter mocked the award of an MBE for his opponent's bit-part contribution to the 2005 Ashes success.

Both men shared a beer in the sanctity of the dressing rooms after the match to prove there were no hard feelings.

But the crowd at the SCG burst into laughter last night when Paul Collingwood MBE was announced walking into bat in the 77-run defeat.

''I had a couple of text messages from back home about it. Warnie can say that but not the bloke on the tannoy!'' joked Collingwood.

''I've had some good banter in the middle with Warnie, come up with some good sledges, but it is all a bit of fun.

''It kind of typifies Australia, they try to get at you from all angles, but you have to try to laugh it off, have a bit of fun with it".

At times last night any respect the Australian public had for England upon their arrival down under had dissipated as Collingwood was ridiculed, Jon Lewis' bodged attempt to catch Ricky Ponting was replayed numerous times on the big screen and Kevin Pietersen was jeered for a fumble in the deep.

But Collingwood refused to accept any of it was done with real malice.

''The one word the Australians use a lot is ruthless and they can be as ruthless off the pitch as they are on it,'' said Collingwood.

''You can get that from the bus driver first thing in the morning, to the dressing room attendants, to the players on the pitch and as was heard last night the people announcing you as you go out to bat.

''When you come to Australia it is a hard tour, especially if you are not doing too well.

''At the same time they are the first people to shake your hand and congratulate you if you have had a good time.

''Australia wanted revenge and they are enjoying the revenge they have had from the Ashes. We expected it, it is no surprise to us".

Meanwhile, Collingwood said he would welcome any plans for Rose Bowl ace Warne to work within the England set-up.

''I think he has got a lot to offer, if he was involved as a spinning coach or whatever with English cricket,'' said Collingwood.

''He has brought a lot to Australia and the world.

''He has got a lot of expertise, a lot of skill, he's the best bowler that has ever been, so he is always going to help you out in whatever form.

''He likes playing in England, he's played a lot of county cricket and he is still going to have an association in some way".

Don't miss tomorrow's Daily Echo for Simon Walter's exclusive interview with Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett as part of a double-page preview of the Tri-Nations tournament starting on Friday.