'The Aussies must play aggressive cricket but tone down sledging'

Former captain Allan Border wants the current team to play "hard-edged Australian brand of cricket" in the memory of Phillip Hughes but at the same time
urged them not to get involved in some heavy duty sledging with the Indians during the Test series starting December 9. 

Border went to the extent of saying that the present side will be "more mellow for a short term" due to the tragedy that hit Australian cricket last week.

"The Aussies must return to their aggressive, intimidating brand of cricket - but tone down the sledging. I expect Darren Lehmann and his players to make a team edict to "go hard" at the Indians in the Adelaide Test. It may be easier said than done, especially for the fast bowlers," Border was quoted as saying by Courier Mail. 

"But I reckon Lehmann will be in the ear of his players, telling them to play a hard-edged Australian brand of cricket in memory of Phillip Hughes. Phillip would not have expected anything different.

"That being said, I don't expect there will be much chirping in the middle from the Aussie players. This is not the summer to get involved in heavy sledging," the World Cup winning skipper made his point clear. 

The gritty left-hander of yesteryears said that he doesn't expect a series like the ill-tempered Ashes last time where Aussie captain Michael Clarke had threatened Jimmy Anderson to get ready for a broken arm. 

"I am not expecting a repeat of the scenes of the Ashes last summer when Michael Clarke told Jimmy Anderson to get ready for a broken arm. This will be a more mellow Australian side, especially in the short-term." 

Border said that in the wake of Hughes' demise, the players might "feel guilty" if they are seen smiling or laughing on the field. 

"It is going to be tough for the players to feel like they are enjoying their cricket because they will feel guilty if they are seen smiling and laughing on the field," he said.

Image: Allan Border

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