Cricket bosses have told Chris Adams and Shane Warne to call a truce in their sledging row.

The ECB have warned both players and Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove to make no more comment on a row which has rumbled on for nearly a fortnight since The Argus broke the story on April 25.

The ECB's director of cricket operations Andy Fordham said: "We have spoken to Hampshire and Sussex and as far as all three parties are concerned we consider the matter closed."

The row erupted after Adams accused Warne of over-stepping the mark when he sledged Sussex team-mate Matt Prior during a Championship match at Hove.

Adams said he had "lost respect" for the Australian leg spin legend who countered that he was "fed up of copping flak for sledging when there are two sides to every story."

Bransgrove then waded in, accusing Adams of "hypocrisy" and claiming that he had behaved poorly in previous matches between the clubs.

The row became the biggest talking point in world cricket for several days and I understand Adams, who was fed up with the criticism he subsequently received in certain sections of the media as well as Bransgrove's comments, was ready to issue another statement on the matter earlier this week.

Sussex's director of cricket Peter Moores said: "I think it's best that sleeping dogs lie.

"The story has had its mileage and I admire Chris for not coming back with anything more despite some of the things that have been written."

Meanwhile, Moores believes that wicketkeeper Matt Prior is still in the England shake-up despite his omission from the 25-man development squad named yesterday.

Nottinghamshire's Chris Read was included as understudy to Geraint Jones but chairman of selectors David Graveney has insisted that the form of players not in the squad will continue to be monitored.

All-rounder Robin Martin-Jenkins is a big doubt for Sunday's totesport League match against Warwickshire (1pm) because of a twisted knee.

Tim Ambrose fired 109 and Joe Denly made 103 as a joint Sussex and Kent Second XI rattled up 478-8 declared against counterparts from Essex and Hampshire.

Sussex's Chris Nash (55) and Kent fast bowler Simon Cusden (52) shared an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 105.

Essex and Hampshire reached 182-2 from 55 overs by the close.