James Anderson 'hates post-match drinks', Peter Siddle claims ahead of second Test
Tuesday 14 July 2015 14:39, UK
Peter Siddle has had a dig at James Anderson after the England bowler revealed Australia snubbed the offer of a dressing-room drink.
Anderson told the Daily Telegraph the beaten Aussies declined an invitation to share a beer after the first Investec Ashes Test in Cardiff and said: "We were all happy to do it. I don't know why they didn't come in."
But Siddle, a veteran of four Ashes series, says in his experience the sides have only mingled at the end of a final Test.
And the seamer, in line to deputise if Mitchell Starc misses out in this week's second game at Lord's, says Anderson has previously admitted he hates the convention.
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He said: "It's my fifth Ashes series and it's the first time anyone's gone to have a drink after one Test.
"It's an interesting story, especially from Jimmy considering at The Oval last time (in 2013) we had a drink and he said 'I don't know why we do this. I can't stand it'. So... interesting comments, but you know what Jimmy's like.
"I've never had a drink (with the opposition) until after the last match, and I don't think anything's going to change here.
"Last year in Australia the boys came in and were there for a couple of hours talking about the series and joking around. Throughout the series, a lot of tough battles go on... at the end of the series, we can have that drink."
Siddle's chance of featuring at Lord's appeared to recede on Tuesday as Starc trained without any apparent discomfort from the ankle he injured at Cardiff, but he is "ready to go" if needed.
And the 30-year-old is confident that the Aussie bowlers will improve on their performance in the first Test.
"We weren't anywhere near where we normally are," he said. "Our normal standards weren't reached and it showed on the scoreboard.
"It's something we need to address and we will. The boys are upbeat and ready to go, and I can see a different contest out there this week."
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