Australian “bullies” took the Mickey out of us, Anderson fumes
The bad blood between Australia and England has been laid bare by Jimmy Anderson, who likened Steve Smith’s side to bullies in his newspaper column.
James Anderson watches as David Warner and Cameron Bancroft rack up runs. Photo: Darren England / AAP
Anderson has also accused the hosts of concocting “a deliberate ploy to say things close to the stump mics so it would be picked up by the media”.
Jonny Bairstow headbutted Cameron Bancroft when the pair crossed paths during England’s first night on tour but the story didn’t break until day four of the first Test, when Australia sledged the keeper about the bizarre clash.
The visitors were disappointed with the hosts’ conduct during the Ashes opener at the Gabba, where Australia were challenged early but eventually cruised to a 10-wicket win.
Aside from the on-field sledging, Smith’s laughter while sitting alongside Bancroft during a light-hearted press conference in which the debutant recalled the headbutt, has gone down like a lead balloon.
Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith front the media after victory at the Gabba. Photo: Darren England / AAP
“Australia were taking the Mickey out of England after the first Test and it was infuriating to listen to and watch,” Anderson wrote in UK newspaper The Telegraph.
“But all it did was make us more determined to ensure we come here ready for a battle.
“A bully waits until they are in the ascendancy to pounce on people. That is what Australian teams do.
“They are quiet when they are not on top which was the case for the first three days of the Brisbane Test and then on day four they came alive.”
Stump microphones picked up David Warner barking “you shouldn’t headbutt our mates” last Sunday, with Anderson suggesting Australia were deliberately trying to ensure the story got out and disrupted the touring party.
“We knew what they were up to. That is fine, we just leave them to it. We are not interested in getting involved in any verbal battle or slanging match with them,” he noted.
Australia wicketkeeper Tim Paine dismissed the notion earlier this week.
“I know England have been saying we only brought it up because we were on top or kept it up our sleeve, which is rubbish,” Paine said of the Bairstow sledging.
Anderson wrote that England want to focus on outplaying Australia in the second Test that starts at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, but that he will continue to fire back some verbals.
“Dealing with sledging is an individual thing. For me, I am not going to take abuse from David Warner or anyone else and not have a word back,” he wrote.
-AAP
