Journalists' access to players on the pitch will be limited during the Ashes © Getty Images Enlarge

James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's chief executive, has told broadcasters they will not be allowed to interview players as they leave the field during the Ashes series.

The ban follows an incident this week in Victoria's game against Western Australia in Perth involving Shane Warne, who was doorstopped by a television reporter as he left the field after being dismissed for 17. The female journalist was keen on exploring more about the rumours he and his ex-wife, Simone, were reuniting.

The unprecedented interest in Australia's fight to regain the Ashes has prompted Channel Nine, the Australian broadcasters, to try and boost their coverage by including on-field questioning of players. However, Sutherland said there would be limits set on the television company's coverage.

"You're not going to see people talking to them straight after they have got out, that wouldn't be appropriate," Sutherland said. "There has to be some parameters that are appropriate to the circumstances. The players are more than happy to encourage the coverage as long as their boundaries are respected."