Australian captain Michael Clarke has revealed in his new autobiography that England spearhead James Anderson refused to talk to him at a lunch in the lead-up to the first Test of the summer Ashes tour and indicated that the relations between them have remained frosty ever since.
In his 'Ashes diary', Clarke also spoke of Anderson 'murmuring pleasantries' in the second Test before the pair 'exchanged words' after an 'accidental' mid-pitch collision during the third Test.
According to News.com.au, Clarke downplayed talk of a toxic feud with Anderson, writing in the book that he has no personal problem with any current English player, although he insisted that Anderson was the one who preferred not to talk to him.
Stating that he believes Anderson had a 'crack' at Clarke in his own biography, Clarke however, said that he has no issues with Anderson as he does not think the attack is personal, adding that had he been Anderson's captain, he would have wanted the fast bowler to carry on his 'bit of mongrel' attitude.
Clarke also mentioned that a player has longetivity in the game because he is a decent person, otherwise he gets thrown out.
Anderson, a 87-Test veteran, has a good record against Clarke, having dismissed him eight times at Test level - including twice in England's recent 3-0 series win, the report added.
