ICC Match Referee Chris Broad has hinted Australian bowlers Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds were both fortunate to avoid any disciplinary action following a fiery second Test against South Africa.

On Thursday night South African coach Mickey Arthur accused Warne of over-appealing.

"There's got to be that competitive edge but there is a line that they cannot cross," Broad told reporters at the MCG.

"But according to the umpires they haven't crossed it so I'm happy with that.

"I look at it probably from a television point of view and yes ideally it would be nice if it was toned down a little bit."

Asked if Australia was the "best" team in the game for over-appealing, Broad said: "They are the No.1 side in the world. They seem to be best at most things these days."

Broad defended inexperienced Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf, who warned Warne for over-appealing during the match.

"Yes it was (for over-appealing)," Broad said of the umpire's warning for the Australian leg-spinner.

"After three Test matches you don't really know a great deal, particularly when you are coming up against someone as experienced as Shane.

"I think most people's view is that Asaud Rauf had a terrific game and I would certainly back that view.

"In the cauldron of the MCG, he did a fantastic job."

Broad said he liked to speak with players as matches went on to sort out any potential problems.

"I've certainly had a quiet chat with (Australian coach) John Buchanan this morning," Broad said.

Broad said he had arranged to speak to Warne.

"We'll chat for 10 minutes about instances in the game, nothing specific, just his understanding of certain things and the ICC's understanding of certain things," Broad said.

"Just in the way that he bowls and he appeals and his reactions."

Australian captain Ricky Ponting denied the claim by Arthur that Australia was putting too much pressure on umpires.

"We're out there appealing every time we think something's out. I don't think there is anything wrong with that," Ponting said.

Symonds admitted he needed to "tone things down" after charging down the pitch to celebrate the wicket of Jacques Kallis caught behind without turning to appeal to the umpire.

Symonds said he had been instructed by Ponting to immediately apologise to West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor.

"Again umpires have differing views on this," Broad said.

"The waters are slightly muddied when batsmen walk.

"I asked Steve Bucknor about it and he said Jacques Kallis stood for a little while but in the end walked.

"I know some umpires who would have charged Andrew Symonds there but Steve said that the batsman walked."

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