Shane Warne insisted here Tuesday that England had paid the price for getting caught up in the hype surrounding the Ashes after Australia's crushing 239-run first Test win at Lord's.
"I just dont think it is in the personality of everybody to make big statements such as 'so-and-so is over the top' and I think they suffered during the game by trying to live up to something that was not true to their character," the legendary leg-spinner said.
"You are positive with actions, not words. If they were told to do it then the tactic backfired."
In the build-up to the game, England pace bowler Matthew Hoggard, not renowned for his outspokeness, suggested to BBC Radio that Warne was "not the force he was".
He also called into question the stamina and form of the master slow bowler's fellow 35-year-old Glenn McGrath.
Warne, in his last attempt at the feat, just fell short of taking five wickets in a Test innings at Lord's and getting his name on the dressing room honours board.
"That doesn't really matter,"Warne insisted. "I must admit it was a real thrill to walk through the Long Room every time and see my portrait on the wall. I still feel I have left a mark."
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