English all-rounder Moeen Ali has no sympathy for troubled Australia trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft as he finds the Kangaroos “rude”.
Earlier this year, Cricket Australia banned former Australian captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and young batsman Cameron Bancroft from international cricket in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal during the third Test of the four-match series between Australia and South Africa in March.
Speaking to The Times, Moeen Ali said, “Everyone you speak to … they are the only team I’ve played against my whole life that I’ve actually disliked,” adding, “Not because its Australia and they are the old enemy but because of the way they carry on and (their) disrespect of people and players.”
Moeen Ali, who played a very important role in England’s 4-1 win over India, said he felt no sympathy for Smith, Warner or Bancroft.
“I’m someone who generally feels sorry for people when things go wrong but its difficult to feel sorry for them,” Moeen Ali said, adding, “The first game I ever played against them, in Sydney, just before the 2015 World Cup, they were not just going hard at you, they were almost abusing you.”
Moeen Ali added, “That was the first time it hit me. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, but the more I played against them they were just as bad, the Ashes here (in 2015) they were worse, actually, not intimidating, just rude. Individually they are fine and the Aussies we’ve had at Worcester have been fantastic, lovely guys.”