England pace bowler James Anderson says he no longer needs to get into a verbal battle to perform at his best.The 32-year-old had previously said he wants the forthcoming Ashes series to be played in a good spirit, which drew derision from Australia pair Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson.
“I felt that I’ve needed to be pumped up in the past,” said Anderson, England’s leading Test wicket-taker.
“But I’ve learned in the last 18 months that I don’t need to be like that.”
Anderson was involved in a memorable verbal confrontation with Johnson during England’s 2010-11 Ashes victory and, during the 2013-14 series, was told by Australia captain Michael Clarke to get ready for a “broken arm” when facing Johnson.
After Anderson called for a repeat of the good spirit that characterised England’s drawn series with New Zealand earlier this summer, Haddin said the Lancashire bowler “better look at himself in the mirror”.
Writing in The Sun, Anderson said: “The response from Haddin and Johnson was that I should look in the mirror because I’ve started plenty of confrontations.
“Well I’m not saying I didn’t. What I am saying is that it’s not something I rely on any more. We are not going to seek out trouble, go looking for fights or start sledging.”
And speaking to BBC Sport before the first Test in Cardiff begins on Wednesday, he added: “I don’t predict anything that’s not happened in an Ashes game before. I can’t imagine there will be too many shocks.
“The biggest thing for us is that we concentrate on our skills and delivering them as best we can. Anything else that goes on out in the field is irrelevant.”
Australia batsman Adam Voges said he would not look to start a verbal confrontation, but that he would not shy away either.
“I don’t walk on to a cricket field premeditating to sledge anyone,” said Voges. “I will back my team-mates 100%. However that may be, they will have my full support.”
At 35, Voges will be playing in his first Ashes series after making his Test debut against West Indies in June.
“I’ve had to wait a long time to get this opportunity,” said Voges, who has played county cricket for Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Middlesex.
“It’s been a long road to get here and hopefully I can have a good campaign. I can’t wait.”
