Exclusive – Collingwood: Lehmann comments are just part of Ashes theatre

Former England star Paul Collingwood has dismissed Darren Lehmann’s comments labelling Stuart Broad as a cheat as part of the theatre of the Ashes.

The Australia coach slammed the bowler in a radio interview following the Nottinghamshire man’s decision to not walk after edging to slip in the first Ashes Test.

But Collingwood reckons that the remarks are just Lehmann attempting to put pressure on Broad ahead of the tour Down Under.

He told Drive Time: “It’s just the whole theatre of the Ashes when you’ve got the Australian coach having a bit of a go at the England all-rounder.

“If he is cheating then every other batsman in world cricket is cheating. There aren’t many people who walk these days. That’s the nature of the game. It’s certainly stirred things up.

“It sounds like an off-the-cuff comment that you would make with some of your friends. The radio presenter there [in Australia] is probably one of his mates.

“Broady is one of those people, whether he tries it or not, that always get criticism, for some reason.

“He will get stick in Australia but so will every other English batsman and bowler. That’s what happens when you go there. They try and make it hard for you.”