Ashes 2017/18: James Anderson Didn't Invite Umpires Opinion over Short-Ball Tactics

Experienced England cricketer James Anderson has denied the fact that there had been any complaints from the England team about Australia’s short-ball tactics.

Notably, Anderson survived a blow on the helmet from Pat Cummins that left him with a “slightly sore jaw for a couple of days.”

“I have actually chatted to the umpires about it during this series, and they say at Test level you should be able to handle short balls. That is a clear message to get in the nets and practice against bouncers,” the 35-year-old Anderson wrote in a column for UK Newspaper The Telegraph.

Anderson revealed he didn’t ask the umpires to stop it but was curious to know about their opinion. Anderson further added it’s part and parcel of the game and one needs to get better at playing bouncers.

Former England captain, Mike Atherton wrote a column last week that called on umpires to better enforce the laws on intimidatory bowling during the series.

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The spearhead of Australia’s pace battery Mitchell Starc, who will miss the fourth Test with a bruised heel stated that they would not change their tactics in the upcoming matches.

“The plan to the tail has always been the same: be very aggressive, bowl fast, get up in their nose and have them jumping around. We’re pretty happy with how our plans are going … and hopefully by the end of the week it’s four-nil,” Starc stated.

Pat Cummins, who struck Anderson on the helmet was of the same views as of Starc.

“We think that’s our best chance of getting them out. They’re all pretty competent batters. Stuart Broad’s got a Test match hundred and Anderson’s got an 80-odd,” Cummins said.

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However, Anderson also admitted they (Australia) would bowl short pitch deliveries to English tails.

“We have bounced tailenders in this series and at other teams. We know it will not stop in this series and playing the short ball better is one challenge for the final two Tests when we need to show some pride and prove to people we are not a walkover as a team,” Anderson wrote in his column.

Anderson is of the opinion that they have played some really good cricket and the series has been closer than the scoreline suggests.

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“I don’t see trying to blood a few players in the next few weeks and potentially losing 5-0 is the way to go. We want to restore pride and dignity, and you do that by playing our strongest XI,” Anderson concluded.