Broad rubbishes suggestions of ball tampering during Ashes
England fast bowler Stuart Broad is surprised that Australia resorted to ball tampering in the third Test against South Africa.
Broad feels that Australia were able to easily extract reverse swing during the Ashes while there was no suggestion of any tampering.
Australian cricket was plunged into something of a crisis when Cameron Bancroft was caught applying a foreign object to the ball with skipper Steve Smith later admitting the plot was approved by team leadership.
Broad told reporters at Eden Park on Sunday: “I saw Steve Smith in his press conference said it was the first time they’ve tried it, which to me, seems really surprising why they’d change a method that’s been working.
“Look at the Ashes series that we’ve just played. You look through virtually all of those test matches and they reverse swung the ball in sometimes conditions that you wouldn’t expect the ball to reverse, so I don’t understand why they’ve changed their method for this one game.”
Broad does not believe that Australia engaged in any underhanded tactics during the Ashes.
ALSO READ: England facing mammoth task
He said: “I don’t know.
“Steve said it’s the first time they’ve tried it. There’s no evidence that they were doing this in the Ashes series, from what I’ve seen.”
Responding to Australia coach Darren Lehmann’s gripe about the crowd’s treatment of the Aussie team in South Africa, Broad felt it was definitely a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
He added: “I’ve always been a bit of a believer, in sport… if someone wants to take you on verbally, and they’ve started that fight, then you’re allowed to say something back.
“Just from the outside, it looks like Australia have started a lot of fights and are moaning when someone comes back.
“Any England player, or probably media, that have toured Australia can laugh at those comments really, because some of the comments we hear on the pitch by Australian supporters, known as banter, having toured South Africa, I know it’s worse than South Africa.”
Latest
-
NewsSilverwood unlikely to try Stokes-Buttler IPL job swap for England
Ben Stokes was promoted to the top of the order and Jos Buttler slotted in down at number five for Rajasthan Royals recently.
-
NewsRassie upbeat ahead of T20 series despite contrasting build-ups
South Africa have not played together since March while England had a full international programme over the summer.
-
NewsTendulkar suggests plan to stifle Smith
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has offered some advice to India’s bowlers on how to deal with Australia’s star batsman Steven Smith.
-
NewsIndia suffer double blow as Rohit and Ishant ruled out
India will have to do without the services of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma during the first two Tests against Australia.
-
NewsSam Curran stars as England get creative in internal T20 practice match in Paarl
Jos Buttler’s XI coasted to victory over Eoin Morgan’s team, with a second target then hastily set to gain more practice time.
-
NewsKagiso Rabada reiterates BLM support as South Africa opt against taking knee
The Proteas will not take a knee during the forthcoming series against England.
-
NewsOlly Stone ready to ‘bash down the door’ after England recall
The Warwickshire paceman was included in the one-day international squad against South Africa and impressed in an intra-squad warm-up game.
-
NewsSam Billings striving to make sure he keeps place in ‘phenomenal’ England side
Billings and Joe Root put on 103 for Jos Buttler’s XI in a 40-over intra-squad warm-up victory in Cape Town.
-
NewsJoe Root hits decisive 77 as Jos Buttler’s team triumph in England warm-up match
The 23-man squad was split in two for the 40-over practice match in Cape Town, with Team Eoin Morgan challenging Team Buttler.
-
NewsJoe Root hits 77 as England warm-up in Cape Town ahead of South Africa series
England split their squad into two teams for a 40-over practice match.