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When Bailey played 'tennis' with Anderson

Former Test batsman puts his unique spin on a pair of classic Ashes battles featuring Jimmy Anderson

George Bailey's memorable run-ins with the fast bowler who will soon become Test cricket's most prolific wicket-taker have been given a fresh comedic spin through the Australian's enthusiastic retelling of Ashes folklore.

Jimmy Anderson, who is presently seven wickets away from eclipsing Glenn McGrath as Test cricket's all-time leader among pacemen, and Bailey will be forever linked for a pair of skirmishes – one an infamous flashpoint in on-field 'banter', the other a still-standing world record – that defined the 2013-14 series whitewash.

Two events Bailey insists leave no animosity between the pair; only fodder for a rip-roaring stand-up comedy routine featuring sharp anecdotal humour, costume changes and a liberal dose of embellishment.

Ashes Memories: Clarke v Anderson at the Gabba

The first remains arguably the defining moment of that campaign; in the opening match at the Gabba, an Australian side without a Test win from their previous nine starts closed in on first blood in the series.

Only the final pair of Anderson and Stuart Broad stood in their way, as fire-breathing quick Mitchell Johnson targeted England’s tail with a barrage of short balls.

Speaking this week at the Melbourne Cricket Club's Bradman Luncheon held in honour of the game's most prolific batsman, Bailey recounted tale of him "strolling from end to end in my designated role at short leg".

"I was just lost in the moment. My first Ashes Test, we were about to win – I was pinching myself. I found myself singing along with the Barmy Army," Bailey recalled.

Image Id: 439AB1B2198343A58900BA109B19C478 Image Caption: Bailey and Anderson go toe-to-toe // Getty

With green helmet donned and white playing top pulled over his shirt and tie, Bailey vividly recalled how he sung along to the tune of 'oh Jimmy…' before Anderson rounded on him.

Their now infamous tete-a-tete was followed by a rather more public exchange in which Australia captain Michael Clarke told Anderson to "get ready for a broken f****n arm" – a line that was caught on the stump microphone and broadcast on live television.

While Bailey's punchline (pardon the pun) received the expected volley of laughter from the MCC members, he insisted he remains on good terms with Anderson.

"I don't think there are any old wounds," Bailey told cricket.com.au after the speech. "I talk them up in a few stories (but) I've said 'G'day' to him a couple of times crossing paths.

"I've played against him when he's being playing for (county side) Lancashire and I've played against him in a couple of one-day games since then.

"I don’t think there's any bad blood at all and bar me getting a couple out of the middle against him in one over, I certainly think he's had the wood over me a hell of a lot more than I have over him."

Anderson did get Bailey out twice in the series, but few will recall the specifics of those dismissals (both edges that were caught behind the wicket) compared to the six balls of carnage Bailey dished out at the WACA Ground.

Bailey's massive Anderson over

With a dominant Australian side pushing their lead towards 500 in their second innings, Bailey took 28 off the final over – equalling Brian Lara's Test record – delivered by Anderson before Clarke signalled the declaration.

"Jimmy and I made up later in the series," Bailey continued in his speech for the Bradman luncheon.

"We had a hit of tennis at the WACA - I think I was up 2-6, 4-6, 4-6 and then Michael Clarke said I had to go back to short leg."

The clever gag of course refers to the summary of that record-equalling over – reading more like three-set Wimbledon tie than an over bowled in a five-day Ashes contest.

"I think it went over a few peoples' heads - I had a bloke come up and say, 'I wish you'd touched on that over from the WACA against Jimmy Anderson'," Bailey admitted. "I thought, 'Shoot low sheriff, he was riding a Shetland'.

"I didn't really want to delve into it too much. To be honest, I'm proud of the over but it was very small part in what was a pretty epic series."

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