Stuart Broad, who expects to be public enemy No1 when the series starts after Australia coach Darren Lehmann told fans to “send him home in tears”, was also forced to defend himself today after being accused of having fans thrown out of the Sydney Cricket Ground last week.
Jimmy Smith, a former Sydney Roosters player turned broadcaster, tweeted: “Just heard that after minor heckling on Friday Stuart Broad asked two members to be removed.”
The angry bowler responded on Twitter: “If you’re gonna make stuff up to get attention for yourself you may as we’ll make it half decent. Pathetic.”
Today’s bid to destabilise the team follows a string of attempts by players past and present, including Shane Warne and, last week, Mitchell Johnson, who said he would have no qualms about injuring England players by bowling at their throats.
Peter Siddle’s assertion today that they are going after captain and opener Alastair Cook will have little effect.
“I think we’ve always targeted Cook,” said Siddle. “He’s the man that opens up the batting, he’s the captain and he’s the one we want to put the pressure on.”
England keeper Matt Prior, who missed the game in Sydney with a calf problem, batted and trained at the Gabba today.
