James Anderson tried to scare Australian debutante Cameron Bancroft but not with his fierce swing of the ball. In the 5th over of the innings, Bancroft hit a boundary off the fourth ball of Anderson’s over. England’s ‘old warhorse’ did not seem to like it and it was quite visible from his actions on the next ball. Anderson bowled an inswinger to the Australian opener which was pushed back to him with a straight bat. What happened next, was unusual by Anderson’s standards.
Anderson threw the ball towards the stumps letting out his frustration but ended up hitting Bancroft. But, the 25-year-old took the hit just inches away from his groin. Bancroft did not even flinch on taking a serious hit on the body and stared at Anderson. The 35-year-old soon apologised to the youngster by raising his left hand on his way back to the run-up.
The commentators were stunned as by Bancroft’s tough side as he did not react to the hit on his body but let his disappointment known by staring back at Anderson.
Here’s the video of the incident –
No worries mate. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/F5VAKeaJwu
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 26, 2017
Cameron Bancroft staring down Jimmy Anderson on Test debut. Epic. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/jjFjwP2Ukz
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 26, 2017
Twitterati were not happy with Anderson’s unwarranted aggression.
Same like @MitchJohnson398 did to Virat
— SARATH (@SarathsivaJr) November 26, 2017
ALSO READ: Mitchell Starc’s bouncer breaks Joe Root’s helmet, Australian players rush to help him — WATCH
Former Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson replied to the tweet.
Not even close
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) November 26, 2017
Here are a few other reactions –
Anderson being a flog as usual.
— Joel (@MrChaoS1ne) November 26, 2017
He stands there and takes harder hits at bat pad. Love the no Fs given look back at Anderson
— Alex Carter (@abbacarter) November 26, 2017
If our bowlers did this, there would be an uproar
— jeddly (@jeddly1) November 26, 2017
Surely that’s a fine or suspension typical pommie bad sport
— Vic (@vic75h) November 26, 2017
Pom’s would be wanting a game ban and heavy fine if it had been Starc or Cummin’s who did it.
— The Quite Man (@aussieblue70) November 26, 2017
Anderson, can’t bowl, can’t throw.
— Garrick Chandler (@26011788) November 26, 2017
Bancroft got out after scoring just 5 runs in the first innings, but, looked in good touch in the second innings.
Cameron Bancroft’s first six in Test cricket! https://t.co/P6sH6ROa7L #Ashes pic.twitter.com/IwtGuX0pz3
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 26, 2017
Chasing a target of 170 runs on Day 4, Bancroft shared a pressure-releasing partnership of over 100 runs with David Warner. The Western Australian player scored his maiden half-century on debut.
