Jason Behrendorff, Eoin Morgan trade barbs over bowling attacks

Australia’s five-wicket hero Jason Behrendorff has rubbed salt into England’s wounds, thanking the Poms for showing the Aussie bowlers exactly what not to do during their crucial World Cup match.

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Jason Behrendorff and Eoin Morgan have butted heads over England’s bowling plans as Australia’s unlikely hero used his Lord’s debut to etch his name on the ground’s honourboard.

Behrendorff – who took 5/44 in a breakout performance – said England’s quicks bowled too short in the power play, teaching the Aussies to attack the stumps in yesterday’s 64-run World Cup victory.

“Their balls weren’t going to hit the stumps too often, so we made a conscious effort to try to pitch up and hit the stumps as much as we could early,” Behrendorff said.

“We executed that quite well. We were able to get off to an excellent start with three wickets in the first 10 overs.

“That was a big thing we spoke about – we assessed where they bowled.”

Morgan backed in Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes despite England taking 23 overs to break Australia’s opening partnership, and 36 overs for one of their express quicks to take a wicket.

When Morgan was told that Behrendorff said England bowled too short with the new ball, the England captain replied: “Of course he did. Of course he did.

Jason Behrendorff celebrated a five-wicket haul against England. Picture: AFP

“Early on, I don’t think we did (bowl too short),” Morgan said.

“I’ve just been showed a highlight reel of short deliveries in which poor shots were played. “They were supposed to be short. They were aimed at a guy’s shoulder or armpit.

“I thought we didn’t have a little bit of luck early. We made Australia play and miss a lot. But that’s his opinion and he’s entitled to it.”

But it was Behrendorff who had the last laugh, dismissing opener James Vince with the second ball of the innings and then ripping through the tail.

Behrendorff, 29, was earmarked for the England game weeks ago after his left-arm swing bowling troubled the world’s best batting line up in last month’s practice match.

Eoin Morgan is facing a tough task to get his side to the World Cup finals. Picture: Getty Images

Behrendorff, who replaced Nathan Coulter-Nile, feared constant back injuries would derail his international career.

“Some days, especially during all the rehab periods, you think, am I going to get back? Am I going to be able to get out there and play for my country?” he said.

Behrendorff and fellow left-arm swing bowler shared nine wickets as Pat Cummins, who bowled first change, missed out on a wicket for the second game in a row.

“We don’t often see it (two left-armers) often, but I don’t see why we can’t (stick with it),” Behrendorff said.

“Sometimes you play three right-armers, so why can’t we play two lefties?”

Originally published as Jason Behrendorff, Eoin Morgan trade barbs over bowling attacks