Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland accepts captain Ricky Ponting could face censure for his behaviour on a heated second day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

England batted themselves into a position of complete dominance on day two of the fourth Ashes Test, but much of the talk centred on Ponting's altercation with the match officials.

The home skipper referred a not out decision against Kevin Pietersen after wicketkeeper Brad Haddin sensed an edge and Ponting was left furious when the television verdict upheld the on-field call made by Aleem Dar.

What followed was an unseemly flashpoint with Ponting jabbing his finger and debating the issue furiously with Dar - and his colleague Tony Hill.

Asked before the close of play for his take on events, Sutherland told reporters: "There's an ICC code of conduct there if it's applicable to be dealt with.

"It's an ICC matter, we're in the middle of a Test match and the code of conduct is there to deal with matters that need to be escalated to that level."

Sutherland, though, declined to offer his own take on events, instead opting to wait for the verdict from those involved.

"I was 200 metres away, so I'll reserve judgement. There are two umpires out there, they'll no doubt make their own calls and decisions.

"It's very difficult to make a judgement. The umpires are in the best position to make a judgement on what was said. There was some sort of animated conversation and from their ears and what they heard, it's their prerogative to judge.

"I'm not sure exactly what was said, the people out there know what happened and they're the ones that can make decisions."

(reopens) England centurion Jonathan Trott was the non-striker during the controversial altercation - but afterwards could shed no significant light on what happened.

"I don't really know much about what was going on," he said, explaining he and his partner were away from the action when Ponting was addressing the umpires.

"I was speaking to KP the whole time, so I didn't see any chatting or altercation really.

"I saw him [Ponting] chatting but I'm not sure what about."

Trott was able to confirm Pietersen was always convinced he would not be given out.

"He didn't think he hit it.

"I didn't really see the replay either, so it's hard for me to say what happened."