Nannes rejects Afridi all countries ball tamper claim

Melbourne, Feb. 2 (ANI): Twenty20 pacer Dirk Nannes has rejected Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi's claims that every international side indulges in ball tampering, and insists bowlers can be effective without breaking cricket's laws.

"I'm not really sure what he was referring to with those comments, but I know from a Victorian perspective we don't do that sort of thing and I don't know anyone around the country who actually does it," Nannes said.

Nannes said he did not know of anyone in Australia or England who had done anything to alter the condition of a ball, even though bowlers were capable of gaining conventional or reverse swing.

Nannes is one of the beneficiaries of Australia's selection of a specialist Twenty20 squad, the left-arm quick being a star in the domestic competition the past few seasons.

His expertise was on show in the recent domestic final where his 1-8 from four overs was decisive in the Bushrangers' win over South Australia.

Nannes' parentage qualified him for the Netherlands in last year's Twenty20 world championship. He was selected for Australia against England later in the year but the game was rained out before he bowled.

Nannes said he was excited about the prospect of playing his first home game for his country at a packed MCG and equally eager to earn a spot in the next Twenty20 world championship in green and gold, after wearing orange last time. (ANI)