Smith: Gabba Test played in good spirit

Australia captain Steve Smith insisted that his team do not go over the top when sledging on the field after they were accused of being bullies by England seamer James Anderson.

Smith and his team went hard with the verbals in the first Test in Brisbane but the skipper said they did not get personal with any comments towards their opponents.

Australia batsman Peter Handscomb admitted that the home side’s approach in the first Test was brutal and the visitors should expect more of the same in the second Adelaide, starting in Adelaide on Saturday.

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Smith, who confirmed that the hosts will field an unchanged team from the Gabba Test, said: “I think everything was fine. It was played in good spirit. As I’ve said previously, there’s a line there that we’re not to cross.

“I thought we played the game in good spirit, I’ve got no issues there. I think the umpires and match referees are there to determine that. From my point of view it’s about playing good hard aggressive cricket.

“I think we did that well at the Gabba and no doubt we’ll continue to do that throughout the series.”

The Aussie skipper also took issue with Anderson calling his team bullies in a column he wrote for the Telegraph.

Smith said the veteran England seamer should be the last person to talk as he is one of the biggest sledgers in the game.

“I read the article. I think it’s interesting coming from Jimmy calling us bullies and big sledgers,” Smith said.

“I think he’s one of the biggest sledgers in the game to be perfectly honest with you. To me in particular. I remember back in 2010 when I first started and wasn’t any good he was pretty happy to get stuck into me then. Interesting coming from Jimmy.”

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