Australian spin bowling legend Shane Warne has accused James Anderson of threatening George Bailey prior to his altercation with Michael Clarke.
Clarke was fined 20% of his match fee after being caught on the stump microphone telling the England bowler to prepare to have his arm broken by Aussie paceman Mitchell Johnson.
Warne has defended the home captain for sticking up for Bailey, who was making his first Test appearance in the opening Ashes match at The Gabba, and has blamed Anderson for the series of sledges.
"I think it's a disgrace that @MClarke23 has been fined. What about what Jimmy Anderson said to Bailey, which wasn't heard," Warne posted on Twitter.
"@MClarke23 stuck up for his debutant Bailey as he should have too as capt after Anderson said he wanted to punch Bailey in the face. Unfortunately only Clarke's reaction to Anderson's was heard live, we all heard Anderson's sledge that led to Clarke reacting.
"Lastly as an international sportsman, if you decide to dish it out ie sledging you have to be prepared to cop it back too & not complain."
Australia won the first Test in Brisbane by 381 runs, with Johnson recording match figures of 9-103.
