Fraser’s disgust over Oz bad boys
WAKE-UP CALL: Fraser ANGUS FRASER has condemned England’s faltering Ashes stars over their off-the-field antics Down Under and told them to sort themselves out.
The ex-Test bowler and current England selector claims Joe Root’s men should realise just how lucky they are to represent their country at the highest level and make a good living out of the game.
Middlesex cricket boss and Ashes veteran Fraser also warned them to stop stepping out of line when socialising and giving the Aussies extra ammunition.
England’s failures on the field, losing the first two Tests and currently trying to save the series in Perth, have been accompanied by embarrassing incidents involving Jonny Bairstow and Jimmy Anderson.
Firstly the tourists were made the butt of Aussies jokes over Bairstow’s “head-butt” greeting to opener Cameron Bancroft. And then the hosts laughed at Ben Duckett tipping a pint of beer over Anderson in a bar.
Fraser said: “The things that have happened are minor but on the back of what took place with Ben Stokes in September every little incident becomes a good stick to give them a beating with.
“England have got to learn from that. It’s been so frustrating that these things have cropped up and they’ve allowed the incidents to dominate things rather than what is happening on the field.
“When I returned to Middlesex in 2009, I may be being harsh but there was too much drinking and socialising at the club.
“You don’t set curfews and you don’t say don’t have a drink. You just want them to take on the responsibilities that come with being a professional cricketer and appreciate how fortunate they are to have their careers.
“Hundreds of thousands of people would love to be professional cricketers so players should make the most of the opportunities they get. It’s just a culture and mentality you try and create at your club and carry through to England.
“When you win you want the players to enjoy that and celebrate hard but at the same time give yourself the best chance of performing when you are at work, which is in training sessions and on matchdays.”