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Australian batsman George Bailey has no idea what riled England’s James Anderson in the dying overs of the first Ashes Test.
Anderson appeared to take offence at something Bailey said and umpires intervened as Australia closed in on a breakthrough 381-run win.
Test debutant Bailey says he isn’t sure whether Anderson complained about him.
“He must have been just a bit upset about the way the game was going I guess,” the Tasmanian told reporters on his return to Hobart.
Bailey, the gentlemanly Australian limited-overs skipper, said he had not upped the lip for his first appearance in the baggy green.
“I’m not one for saying much,” he said.
“I’m pretty quiet out there.”
Sledging is again in the spotlight following the incident and the citing of Australian captain Michael Clarke for allegedly telling Anderson he was about to get a “broken f***ing arm”.
“It just happened to be that the microphones picked up those words,” Bailey said.
“There’s a lot that goes on that you don’t hear as well.”
Opener Dave Warner has admitted he went too far by describing England’s batsmen as “weak” and having “scared eyes”.
Bailey said the undoubted fireworks between the fierce rivals had been part and parcel of a desperate battle.
“I thought it summed up the Ashes Test,” he said.
“What everyone’s said is spot on – two series back-to-back, two highly competitive teams and some terrific cricket, so it all just added to it.”
The 31-year-old admitted he was nervous in making three and 34 on debut and said cementing his place in the team was his top priority.
“Any time you’re in a new team I think the challenge is to make sure that you feel comfortable within that team,” he said.
“Then once you are comfortable you can start to flourish a little bit and start to play your own way.
“The quicker you can get to that stage the better.”
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