Anderson 'expects and accepts' sledging

Cricket365
December 1, 2013

Fast bowler James Anderson will renew hostilities with Australian captain Michael Clarke, when the second Ashes Test gets underway at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

The result of the series opener, which the hosts won by 381 runs, was overshadowed by a fine imposed by the International Cricket Council on Clarke, who was overheard on a stump microphone telling tail-ender Anderson to "get ready for a f****** broken arm".

The tourists, too, were displeased by Australian left-hander David Warner's public remarks about English right-hander Jonathan Trott's "weak" and "poor" batting. Trott has since left the tour due to a stress-related illness.

"I have absolutely no problem about any of what the Australians were doing on the field," Anderson wrote in a <i>Mail on Sunday</i> column.

"I probably dish it out more than most in the field, so I generally get it back more than most. I expect it and accept it.

"I try to get myself into a battle. It heightens my concentration. Certainly in the last few years I think I've developed it as a skill and it has helped me take the wickets that I have."

Opening batsman Chris Rogers, meanwhile, is eager to successfully combat Anderson's verbal aggression – and perhaps play a leading role in Australia's bid to take a crucial two-nil lead in the five-match series.

"James said a few words to me so it all comes around. It's all part and parcel and I am sure he understands. It will be interesting to see how they react in this game," added Rogers.

"They got into us in England and they were probably due some. This is just another game and they will come hard at us. It may have been blown out of proportion a bit and I think England understand it happens in a game and all if fair out there."