England spearhead Jimmy Anderson has resumed his slanging match with Steve Smith, saying Australia’s skipper was more interested in sledging than talking shop with his batting partner at Adelaide Oval.
Anderson and Smith have been swapping barbs – on the field and off it – throughout this Ashes series.
England’s all-time leading wicket-taker claimed Australia were bullies prior to the second Test, a word that shocked Smith given Anderson is “one of the biggest sledgers in the game … to me in particular”.
The pair were involved in a handful of heated moments during the day-night Test in Adelaide, where Smith scored 40 and six.
Smith suggested Anderson’s verbals only served to sharpen his focus at the crease but Anderson rebuffed that claim in his newspaper column.
“We tried to get in Steve Smith’s bubble … we knew we were on top,” Anderson wrote in The Telegraph, recalling his stoush with Smith during Australia’s first innings at Adelaide Oval.
“We knew he was focusing on us because between overs he was supposed to go and talk to Usman Khawaja.
“He (Khawaja) was waiting for the chat from his captain but Smith ignored him and went back to his own end because he wanted to speak to us instead.
“I sensed he was more bothered about what Stuart (Broad) and I were saying to him, which was not very interesting.”
Anderson added that Smith “bats out of the box so you have to think out of the box”.
“Once you get him out a couple of times you realise he is not superhuman. You realise ‘I can bowl to this guy’ and that makes a big difference,” he wrote.
Accustomed to copping plenty of verbals from Australia during the Ashes, Anderson realises last weekend’s headlines have given them even more fodder.
Anderson had a drink poured on his head by England A batsman Ben Duckett last week.
It occurred the first night that England’s team management temporarily relaxed a midnight curfew, and at the same bar where Jonny Bairstow headbutted Cameron Bancroft during England’s first night on tour.
“I know Australia will use the Duckett incident as a way of goading us, or taking the mickey,” Anderson wrote, describing the episode as a silly non-event.
“It will probably be funnier than what they have spouted at me so far in this series.
“They jump on anything to have a go at you so I am expecting a bit of lip. I have no problem with that.”
Sandy
Guest
Just a guess, but you weren’t top of the class in comprehension, were you.
Big Daddy
Guest
Ever since Clarke said he was going to have his arm broken jimmy has fired up. Clarke couldn't even snap a kit Kat in half.
ozinsa
Guest
Agree Sage. It occurred to me the moment this “incident” came to light that Duckett had just done what tens of thousands wished they’d had the opportunity to do
Jumbo
Guest
Attaboy, Jimmy - give 'em a taste of their own medicine, lad. The Aussies don't like it up 'em.
Nudge
Guest
He will stink at the WACA. Woakes will be worse, Moeen will then take it to a another level. If the wicket isn’t a bouncy WACA wicket Overton will struggle. Poms will need Broad to be on his game. They had to take a risk in this game. Wood should be playing for Woakes I feel.
JoM
Roar Rookie
I think we are well ahead in the mental game. If they want to keep giving our boys ammunition it will get used. He is even blaming the coaching staff now for the fact that he bowled short. He has never taken responsibility for his own actions. I hope someone does a George Bailey and smashes him all over the place.
OJP
Guest
nice !
Buddy Holly
Guest
Jimmy Anderson is a fool and hypocrite.
Mike Dugg
Guest
Freddie falling off the boat was nothing compared to this motley crew. At least the older England team had some runs on the board
Ouch
Guest
Looking forward to seeing Jimmy get smashed all around the WACA.
dave
Guest
I was thinking maybe they cant handle our cold beer but given Ben Stokes was likely drinking the luke warm stuff I'm thinking they just cant handle a beer full stop.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Was it any surprise that It was Jimmy Anderson that had a beer poured over him? Even his team mates can't stand him. Can someone drop a keg on him next time. I have a feeling that Anderson will go for plenty in this upcoming test.
Sage
Roar Rookie
Such a tosser and not in a bowling sense. His own team don't even like him based on the evidence. A lot to say when you're already 2-0 down.
Damo
Guest
England's obsession with talking about sledging is either: 1) A sign that Australia have already won the mental game, possibly before the series even started. 2) A deliberate ploy to distract the media from their 3rd rate on field performance.
Alan
Guest
Who'll be first to suggest "drinks are on you Jimmy"?