England fast bowler – and renowned on-field antagonist – Jimmy Anderson has urged Australian cricketers against any off-field antagonism leading into this summer’s Ashes series.
The build-up to the prestigious series is seldom dull: Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon famously vowed to ‘end careers’ leading into the 2017-18 summer. This time around, it’s captain Tim Paine’s comments on England’s reported reluctance to tour due to COVID-19 restrictions that have caused a stir.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Anderson invoked star teammate Ben Stokes’ ongoing absence from the game due to mental health concerns, as proof of the damage such media barbs can cause.
“It is dangerous to start talking like that, especially when we already have one player [Stokes] missing because he is looking after his mental health,” Anderson said.
“I get it that this is an Ashes series and we are going to have this bit of pantomime stuff away from the cricket, but let’s just keep it respectable.”
>> READ: How ‘battle hardened’ England can regain the urn down under
A veteran of four previous Ashes tours, Anderson has become renowned as one of the world’s most vocal cricketers during his glittering 166-Test career. His accusation that Australia were ‘bullies’ after taking umbrage with an on-field war of words in the 2017-18 series was met with a fierce response from the hosts, with then-captain Steve Smith describing the fast bowler as ‘one of the biggest sledgers in the game’.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
“It’s interesting coming from Jimmy, calling us bullies and big sledgers,” Smith said at the time.
“I remember back to 2010 when I first started and wasn’t any good, and he was pretty happy to get stuck into me then.”
Anderson was also at the centre of one of the Ashes’ most infamous recent moments, when his stoush with George Bailey late in the first Test of the 2013-14 series prompted captain Michael Clarke to instruct him to ‘get ready for a broken f—ing arm’.
Anderson went on to note the importance of his team not being sucked into the traditional Ashes hype. With more than half of England’s squad having never toured Australia before, the 39-year old, whose 632 Test wickets are the most by any fast bowler, knows the influence that can have better than most.
“There is always a lot of hype and noise around the Ashes in the build-up to it. Making everyone aware of that and having ways of blocking it out are important,” Anderson told The Telegraph.
“It is designed to distract us. There are always little things that crop up. That is inevitable but it is important we try to focus as much as we can on the cricket.
“Our job is not really to get involved in any off-field war of words. We have to focus on our jobs on the field and perform for our country.”
The Paine comments that prompted Anderson’s response have been pilloried by the English media, with the captain criticised for a lack of empathy with the tourists, especially considering Australia are yet to play an overseas Test series since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020.
>> READ: ‘Lack of class’: Michael Vaughan blasts Paine’s Ashes tour comments
“The First Test is on December 8th — whether Joe (Root, England captain) is here or not. They all want to come, there’s no doubt about that,” Paine said in a spot on SEN Hobart in September.
“No one is forcing any England player to come. That’s the beauty of the world we live in — you have a choice. If you don’t want to come, don’t come.
(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“If you do want to come and represent your country and play in an Ashes series which Joe Root said ‘that’s what they all want to do, that’s what they dream about doing’ then come and do it.”
England’s players have also found an unlikely ally in their touring concerns, with Australian opener David Warner going in to bat for the opponents he’s so often antagonised over his Test career.
“When it comes to bubbles it is challenging. I do see England’s point of view,” Warner told Nine Media’s The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Coming to Australia, the questions being asked are obviously out of the control of Cricket Australia. It’s a government situation.
“We went through it last season. With crossing borders and the like, there is a lot of hard work and planning that goes into it.
“I do feel for the England team and it’s more difficult if you’ve got children.”
The first Test is currently scheduled to begin on December 8 at the Gabba; however, rumours are circulating that the match could be moved to Sydney, due to NSW’s move to scrap mandatory hotel quarantine for international arrivals.
Keep up-to-date with the full Ashes schedule right here on The Roar
Mick
Guest
I doubt he will get near it. Mind you if there are three day/nighters he is in with a chance. He has struggled here in the past because of his pace and lack of movement on Aussie wickets
Ace
Roar Rookie
I was referring to the persons comment about doing a Hughesy and thereby killing people by aiming for their head If you think what I said was wrong then you are no better than the person who made the comment ..or was it you
Keith
Guest
Since when does mental disintegration need to have taste, unless it's McGrath v sarwan?
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Haha not naming any names Jacko. Can't argue with that, definitely impressive in terms of ability and durability Can judge on actions though like the Bailey incident or worse the Jadeja confrontation. He's come out and said that 'I've been different now since the jadeja incident' so we can all treat him like an angel this summer
Johnb
Guest
Given it was Mitchell Johnson bowling at his peak, and not Clarke himself, the comment had a bit more menace about it at the time. Clarke was good enough to lead a team who were unfavoured before the tour to 5-0 (and to go on to beat Sth Africa in Sth Africa).
matth
Roar Guru
That's okay, to us England looked like a place where people were dying in droves while an ineffective government dithered and while Wales and Scotland made their own health directives independent of Downing Street.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Haha like Shane Warne perhaps Sgt P? Im certainly not commenting on his personality or any personal traits as I dont know the guy but 632 wickets is definately an achievement, as was SWs 709.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
"632 wickets. Highest total ever for a fast bowler. I respect that" It's possible to be a d bag and also have taken a lot of test wickets
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Did what? What players wore masks?
Keith Griffen
Guest
At newlands with sbw masks they did. In Perth 2008 they did. Many instances
Keith Griffen
Guest
Andersons record has improved over the last few years. At least he can say he won an ashes here and has great stats in Asia.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yes. You did misunderstand. Your version just comes from an anti-Clarke pre-disposition. No one can run a conversation about cricket from that position. When a player with Clarke's ability gets sledged on social media for his ability, it's clear that comment is not intended to discuss cricket. What I don't get is how sprouting such nastiness can make you feel better. It can have no other purpose.
Phil
Roar Rookie
No Don, I fully understand what Clarke said. I fully remember and understand the situation. It's just that Michael Clarke doesn't have the mongrel in him to be taken seriously when threatening someone. Even having a fired up Mitchell Johnson snorting fire from both nostrils doesn't make Clarke any more threatening. As a batsman he was good, as an intimidating presence on the field he was too soft. He's the type of bloke you would tell to go home to his mum if he said something naughty.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
As are a lot of bowlers Dirk. That is how they become test bowlers I guess. Domestic success.
Dirk
Guest
Jimmy is the ultimate home track bully.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Clarke was an attacking captain and that can be respected, certainly not as a teammate though. Anderson makes the ball talk in favourable conditions and his record deserves on field respect for that, but you get no off field respect for being a sledger and then criticising opponents for sledging.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Australians don't realise that to the English, and many other countries we look like 8 independent countries constantly bickering, and all under the umbrella of a powerless Federal leadership. They read about our Aussie citizens still locked out of their country, and at the drop of the hat people can still be banned from attending births, weddings and seeing dying relatives.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
632 wickets. Highest total ever for a fast bowler. I respect that.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Standing up for G Bailey after Anderson said he'd like to punch him in the face. The same Jimmy who assaulted Jadeja .. So much for respect Jimmy
Lance Boil
Roar Rookie
An upcoming Ashes! the rich history , the excitement of the first ball, the crack of leather on willow, the buzz of a full house, the Barmy Army, five test matches in five cities and then there's Jimi's drivel!