When it comes to Australia, top-class cricket is not the only thing that fans eagerly wait for, as the players from Down Under are equally good with the banters and sledging.
Australia has made a name for themselves for their speciality to unnerve the opposition with their verbal attacks. The mind-games before the start of the series is yet another feature of the Australians, and they use it to full effect before any big series especially the all-important Ashes.
However, Australia vice-captain David Warner is not willing to get under the skin of the England players ahead of the Ashes, but at the same time, he made it clear that he would start his verbal games once the much-awaited series begins from November 23.
“At the moment I’m not going to put any vibes out there or get into a verbal stoush … but come day one when we walk out there, there will definitely be some words exchanged. But I think the subtle approach these days is how it is and how it goes.”
The ultra-aggressive opening batsman, who has checked his aggressive nature in recent times, further recalled the incident that took place during the 2013-14 Ashes when England got whitewashed 5-0, and he had taken centre stage in the verbal games.
“Our bowlers are bowling fast at the moment, England are on the back foot, and it does look like they’ve got scared eyes,” Warner had said during the first Test at Brisbane after Jonathan Trott’s struggle. “The way Trotty got out today was pretty poor and pretty weak. Obviously there’s a weakness there at the moment, and we’re probably on top of it.”
“I think he’s got to get new sledges as well because it’s not working for him at the moment. Yeah he’s worked hard in the nets on the short ball, we’ve seen him, but facing a 150kph short ball from Mitchell Johnson, the way to go is probably not trying to back away,” he had added.
Recalling the incident, Warner said: “Four years ago, during that first Test I made some statements in the media, and at the time I thought it was a great thing to come out and speak what I said. I have no regrets about that, and I think that could have played a little bit of a role in the back of their minds.”
The hard-hitting batsman also said this his team must find “some hatred” about England to excel on the field.
“You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to actually get some hatred about them to actually get up when you’re out there. History is a big part in this, and that is what carries us onto the ground,” he further said.
And while he refrained from making any significant pre-series comment, he made sure to plant some seeds of doubts in England players’ mind by stating that facing the Australian pacers like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins is scary.
“I can tell you now I’m very scared when it comes to the nets so hopefully they (England) are scared because it is challenging facing our guys,” he said.