'Unperturbed' Bailey laughs off Anderson's 'punch in face' threat during Ashes opener

Australian player George Bailey, who has made his Test debut in the Ashes opener at the mature age of 31, has laughed off the on-field spat with England's James Anderson at the Gabba, saying that he was not perturbed by a threat from the England fast bowler to punch him in the face.

Bailey, who was fielding closest to the bat when Anderson is alleged to have issued the warning on the fourth and final day of the Gabba Test, was seen smiling as Anderson spoke, although captain Michael Clarke was charged by the ICC for stepping in to defend Bailey.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Bailey insisted that he was not shaken from the fiery incident on his debut Test, saying that as Australia was 380 runs ahead and needed one wicket to win the Test at that point, so he was not upset at Anderson's warning.

Predicting that sledging that occurred at the Gabba will continue in Adelaide next week, Bailey also said that there is always communication on the field, adding that one of the real keys is to try and find a way to make a batsman lose his concentration.

Bailey further said that the ill feeling between Clarke and Anderson, both of whom have history between them, was the result of two key players trying to get the better of each other, adding that he believes that both the players have a huge amount of respect for each other for the way they play the game.