Monday 11 December 2017 17:15, UK
Jonny Bairstow says England and Australia need to "just get on with cricket" amid fresh questions about tension between the two teams during the current Ashes series.
The third Test gets underway in Perth on Thursday with England, already 2-0 down in the series, needing to avoid defeat if they are to stand any chance of retaining the urn.
Bairstow has been the target of Australian sledging after 'headbutting' Australia opener Cameron Bancroft last month, and previously said he would "take matters further" if the sledging "crossed the line" again after claiming he was targeted during the first Test in Brisbane.
But the wicketkeeper-batsman says he and his team-mates now need to just focus on the task at hand as they look to keep the series alive at a ground where England have not won at since 1978 and have suffered seven consecutive defeats.
"We are not here to play 'he said this and he said that'. Just get on with your cricket, play it in the right way because it's a fantastic series to be a part of," Bairstow told reporters.
"The cricket has been really tough and that is exactly how international sport should be. Whether it be rugby, football or cricket it's the pinnacle of your sport and it's a huge privilege to play it.
"As a team, it's now our duty to put (off-field incidents) aside and go out on Thursday at the WACA, which is all set to be an amazing Test match, and do something really special."
After losing back-to-back Tests, England players were allowed a few days' break on Australia's west coast ahead of the third Test and Bairstow said it had allowed them to recharge the batteries.
"I had a few days off and saw some amazing parts of an amazing place," he said. "We are very fortunate to travel to these places and to go see the coastlines that are so fantastic down here.
"The water is so clear - it's a bit different to Scarborough! Literally getting away from everything, it's been amazing.
"There are other things to concentrate on now. Concentrate on catching a few balls in training, hitting a few balls and getting our heads around the challenge that we've got ahead over the next three Test matches because we need to win three Test matches."
In the wake of the opening two defeats, there have been calls for Bairstow to bat higher than number seven in England's line-up.
However, the Yorkshireman says he will leave that decision to captain Joe Root and the England selectors.
"I'll bat where Joe wants me to bat. I've always said that," he said. "That's not going to change. As long as you are in the team then you enjoy playing."
