Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle has said that it is only fair that England pace spearhead James Anderson has to cop sledging since he brought it on himself by ''dishing it out'' during the Ashes opener in Brisbane.
Australian spin legend Shane Warne has alleged that Anderson threatened to punch George Bailey in the face, prompting Australian captain Michael Clarke to respond with an obscenity, picked up by a stump microphone and broadcast, following which Clarke was fined 20 per cent of his match fee.
However, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that Siddle backed Clarke''s sledge as a natural part of on-field exchanges in Tests, saying that Anderson was the ''culprit'' behind the entire incident and thus was given a taste of his own medicine.
According to Siddle, Anderson is one of the leading wicket-takers in the world and as such is happy to sledge his opponents, however, he added that as long as Mitchell Johnson keeps bowling around Anderson ears, that would quieten him up quickly. But Siddle admitted that the sledging would now be under control, although he added that there would be more of it going around throughout the series.
