‘Sledging Warner and Smith can backfire’

Sledging and booing Australia’s Steve Smith and David Warner during the English summer will only push the duo to improve their performance levels, England pace bowler James Anderson said.

Smith and Warner were suspended for 12 months after a ball-tampering incident in South Africa last year and returned to international cricket at the World Cup.

The pair will face England in their World Cup match at Lord’s on June 25 and are also likely to endure hostile reception during the Ashes, which begins at Edgbaston on Aug. 1

“Having played against them so many times before and knowing how they respond to that kind of thing, whether it’s sledging on the field or booing from the crowd, they are going to up their performance,” Anderson told Talksport Radio.

“I understand people won’t like what they have done but it’s in the past.

“I would rather it’s not talked about, although I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be talked about.”

Anderson also believes international players have shared better on-field relationships in recent years, partly due to the increasing amount of global Twenty20 action.