Anderson hits back at Willis,says skill behind reverse swing

David Lloyd,another former England player who is also now a television commentator,tweeted: Ball change is simple8230;umpires thought that Eng changed the condition of the ball8230;.which is against the laws.

The allegations were denied by England one-day coach Ashley Giles,who told a news conference: We dont tamper with the ball. The ball was changed,as far as I am aware,because it had gone out of shape.

Anderson told the Mail on Sunday newspaper that Willis comments were an unwelcome distraction.

The fact is people can think what they like. We know the truth,I can state categorically that no one in the England team has ever tampered with a ball and we wont allow comments made by someone like Bob Willis to worry us, he said.

I hadnt bowled for a while so I didnt see the shape of the ball but the umpires put it through their rings to test it and decided it needed changing.

Anderson said the England bowlers ability to reverse swing the ball did not mean it was being tampered with.

Just because one bowler or one team reverse a ball better than another on a given day doesnt mean to say he or they have been tampering. It just means theyre more skilful, he said.

I can assure you that if any of the England bowlers achieve it then it is within the letter of the laws.

Anderson said all-rounder Ravi Bopara was designated to polish the ball in one-day internationals.

Its not that Ravis a specialist at this. Its just one of his roles and there are enough cameras around to see if anything ever untoward happened. It doesnt, he said.

England best,therefore obvious target Meanwhile,Australian fast bowler Dirk Nannes,in England to commentate on the Champions Trophy for BBC Radio Five Live,claimed England had brought the ball tampering row on themselves by being the best at getting reverse swing.

Everyone is throwing muck at England because they are the best and everyone else wants to be able to do it.