Ashes 2015: Michael Clarke: I've never asked David Warner to sledge an opponent

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This was published 8 years ago

Ashes 2015: Michael Clarke: I've never asked David Warner to sledge an opponent

By Chris Barrett
Updated

LONDON: Michael Clarke says he has never instructed Australia's so-called 'attack dog' David Warner to sledge an opponent and supports the opener's apparent desire to retreat from being the team's chief on-field instigator in the Ashes.

Warner gave an interview during the series in the West Indies that wound up last week in which he indicated he was looking to change his approach in the heat of battle in the middle and not necessarily, as he's often previously been, be in the thick of the action when it comes to barking at rival players.

"The environment I try and create around this group is I want players to play the way they feel they can play their best cricket": Clarke.

"The environment I try and create around this group is I want players to play the way they feel they can play their best cricket": Clarke.Credit: AFP

The 28-year-old was twice last summer found guilty of code of conduct breaches and following a pre-World Cup crackdown from the ICC on on-field behaviour, and is among a number of players who could face a possible suspension if they transgress in the upcoming Test series against England.

"In the past I've been someone who's been told to go out there and do this and do that, but at the end of the day I've got to look after myself, and that's what everyone does," Warner told ESPN in the Caribbean. "There are people who do talk and don't talk on the field. If I don't want to be that instigator, I don't have to be that instigator."

Speaking during Australia's first full training session since landing in England, Clarke said he was fine with Warner's shift in attitude, so long as he pumped out runs with the bat. The Australian captain predicted the Ashes series would be played in good spirits, but after an often hostile showdown two summers ago the last time they came together forecast that both teams could "headbutt" the line between what is acceptable and not.

"I didn't hear what Davey said but I can guarantee that as captain of Davey I have certainly never asked him to go and sledge somebody and I think I can speak for the coach as well, that he certainly has never done that," Clarke said.

"The environment I try and create around this group is I want players to play the way they feel they can play their best cricket. For me, for example, being sledged, or sledging somebody else has never really impacted me. It's never really affected me if I've copped it and it's never really helped me if I've opened my big mouth.

"If someone like Shane Warne or Matthew Hayden or Steve Waugh feel they get benefit out of talking to a batter when they're batting or when they're fielding, or Warney when he was bowling, then that's for them as well. Davey is his own man - what is he, 28 or 29 years old - he will make his own choices. I want to see him perform as good as he possibly can. He is a big part of this team, he's in tremendous form. He's batted beautifully in all forms of the game over the past 12 months and we need him to be successful here. If he feels like he's said a lot through his career and he wants to say less...if that helps his game then I'm all for it."

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Clarke himself was at the centre of the drama on England's last tour of Australia when he was reprimanded for telling England bowler James Anderson to "get ready for a broken f------ arm" during the first Test in Brisbane in 2013. He said Australia would not be retreating from their trademark aggression here.

"I'm confident it will be played in the right spirit," Clarke said of this Ashes series, which begins in Cardiff on July 8. "On the field both teams will play hard and I know I probably say this every series but we respect that there is a line that you can't cross. Both teams might headbutt that line but I'm confident we won't over-step the mark.

"I think that's how we play our best, it's a big part of the Australian way but I think you also need to keep in mind that there is a line and you can't overstep that. As captain of the team I'll make sure I'm leading the way on that front and I'm confident the boys will certainly follow."

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