England, Australia, James Anderson
James Anderson. Credit: Getty Images

England veteran fast bowler James Anderson believes Australia try too hard to be aggressive. In fact, it is well known Australian team always likes to play hard cricket. However, Cricket Australia had come under the scanner when David Warner, Steven Smith, and Cameron Bancroft were banned. Since then, there has been a considerable difference in the approach of the Australian team.

Meanwhile, James Anderson had recently leapfrogged Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 Test wickets. Anderson has taken 564 Test wickets which is the most for any fast bowler in the red ball version. England’s pack leader now occupies the fourth place on the list of the highest wicket-taker in the longest format.

James Anderson
James Anderson. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

Australia is trying to rebuild.

“They have tried too hard to be that stereotypical Australian team that is aggressive and go hard at people,” Anderson told the BBC.

Australia and England have always shared a great rivalry. The Australian team had gone on to win the previous year Ashes series while playing in their own den. Meanwhile, Anderson said Steven Smith is a really good bloke.

“Mitchell Starc is not naturally aggressive despite being a fast bowler and even Steve Smith is a really good bloke — there is no real malice with anything he does — so it was really out of character,” said Anderson.

However, he added, “The thing about wanting to be good blokes is that you can only be a good bloke if you really are a good one.”

James Anderson, Glenn McGrath
Getty Images

On the other hand, former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum was the epitome of perfect sportsmanship. Anderson believes Eoin Morgan and Alastair Cook took a leaf out of Brendon McCullum’s book.

“When Brendon McCullum was New Zealand captain, he made it all about being entertaining and showing off your skills,” he said.

“Both Eoin Morgan in ODIs and Alastair Cook in Tests took from his way and tried to incorporate it into their captaincy.”

Australia hit a new low because of the ball-tampering scandal. However, there seems to be a change in their approach since the controversy. Australia is currently playing against Pakistan in a two-match Test series.

Read More  Tim David angry with Hardik Pandya? Australian all-rounder's ballistic missiles go viral after Mumbai's loss to SRH

Cricket is my first love. I want to be a wordsmith. I want to weave magic with my words.