Firing back! Steve Smith slams the hypocrisy of Jimmy Anderson’s ‘bullying’ accusations

THE powder keg has been lit for one of the most explosive Ashes Tests on record after Steve Smith fired back at Jimmy Anderson’s “bullying” accusations.

Steve Smith exchanges words with Jimmy Anderson at the Gabba.

THE powder keg has been lit for one of the most explosive Ashes Tests on record after Steve Smith launched a stunning counterattack on Jimmy Anderson’s claims the Australians are “bullies”.

Smith played down the prospect of tensions getting out of hand in Adelaide, but the ill-feeling that has emanated from Australia’s sledging of Jonny Bairstow in the first Test continues to simmer.

England spearhead Anderson used his column in the UK Telegraph to insinuate the Australians are weak in the way they dish out verbal abuse, savaging his counterparts for only talking it up when things are going well.

Steve Smith exchanges words with Jimmy Anderson at the Gabba.

However, Smith used his pre-match press conference to recall the brutal abuse he copped from the England star when he was a rookie batsman, finding it hard to believe Anderson could accuse anyone else of bullying behaviour.

Before the series, it’s understood England knew the day-night Test was do-or-die in terms of their Ashes hopes, while Australia know that if they can go up 2-0 they can virtually cut England off at the knees.

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It seems the gloves will be off when the lights come on on Saturday with it all at stake.

“I read the article. I think it’s interesting coming from Jimmy calling us bullies and big sledgers,” said Smith.

“I think he’s one of the biggest sledgers in the game to be perfectly honest with you.

“To me in particular.

“I remember back in 2010 when I first started and wasn’t any good, he was pretty happy to get stuck into me then. It’s interesting coming from Jimmy.”

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Anderson has already flagged his desire to come out swinging in Adelaide, and didn’t hold back in his assessment of Australian tactics.

“A bully waits until they are in the ascendancy to pounce on people,” Anderson wrote.

“That is what Australian teams do.”

Smith said he was confident none of Australia’s sledging had crossed the line in Brisbane, and doesn’t expect relations to deteriorate any further in Adelaide.

“I think everything was fine. It was played in good spirit,” said Smith.

“As I’ve said previously, there’s a line there that we’re not to cross. I’ve got no issues there.

“The umpires and match referees are there to determine that. From my point of view, it’s about playing good, hard aggressive cricket.

“It’s an Ashes series. There’s always that banter going on and off the field. It’s just about playing the game, getting out there and playing cricket and getting on with it.

“That’s what we’re about.”

England skipper Joe Root also used his pre-match press conference to call on umpires to be on top of all sledging on the field and for both sides to understand what might be considered inappropriate.

Asked if a line had been crossed in regards to the sledging directed at headbutt man Bairstow, Root refused to be drawn.

Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson team up to have a go at Steve Smith.

“You’d have to ask him. I’ve not really had a good enough conversation to find out what was said individually,” he said.

“In his case, I’d like to think they know where …. When to stop and when too far is too far.

“If they have gone too far then it says more about them than it does about anything else.

“There’s a place for a bit of banter out on the field as long as it stays as banter and doesn’t become more than that. If it does the umpires need to make sure it has a line that’s stopped at on both sides at the same time.

“You want there to be a bit of niggle … that’s good for the game and good to watch and be involved in.

“But there are certain things that people know they should and shouldn’t say on the field and it’s important both sides – not just one side, both sides – get that right and have enough respect for each other’s sides not to overstep any mark.”