‘It’s war’ - David Warner driven by hatred for Ashes cricket series

Australian cricket team batsman David Warner has said playing England is “war” and he plans to work up “hatred” for the tourists for extra motivation during the upcoming Ashes series.

David Warner has called on Australian cricket team to “dig deep” to find a “hatred” of England ahead of the Ashes.

David Warner believes Australian cricket team’s brittle pace attack could be the key to the hosts gaining the upper hand – as Mitchell Johnson was in 2013-14 when England were whitewashed 5-0 in The Ashes Down Under. (AP)

Cricket’s oldest enemies renew their rivalry next month when the first of five Tests gets underway at The Gabba on November 23.

(Read | Steve Smith praises Ben Stokes’ ability, criticises off-field behaviour)

Previous Ashes series have been marred by sledging and it seems Warner is gearing up for more of the same as Steve Smith’s side look to regain the urn they lost in 2015.

“At the moment I’m not going to put any vibes out there or get into a verbal stoush [fight]... but come day one when we walk out there will definitely be some words exchanged,” Warner told ABC Grandstand.

“As soon as you step on that line it’s war. You try and get into a battle as quick as you can.

(Read | England all-rounder Ben Stokes puts Ashes worries aside to wed)

“I try and look in the opposition’s eye and try and work out ‘how can I dislike this player, how can I get on top of him?’ You’ve really got to find that spark in yourself to really take it to the opposition.

“You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to actually get some hatred about them to actually get up when you’re out there. History is a big part in this and that is what carries us onto the ground.”

And Warner believes Australia’s brittle pace attack, if they are fit, could be the key to the hosts gaining the upper hand – as Mitchell Johnson was in 2013-14 when England were whitewashed 5-0 Down Under.

(Read | New Zealand and India braced for new cricket rules for upcoming series)

“I think we have to look at the way that Michael [Clarke] used Mitchell during that [2013-14] series,” he added.

“The way he came out and delivered ... he knew his role, he knew what his job was. That is something that we obviously have to sum up as a team.

“Is Starcy [Mitchell Starc] the person to do that? [Is] Hoff [Josh Hazlewood] at the other end just to do line and length and swing them as he always does or does Starcy blow their front pads off?

“That’s something that we’re going to have to talk about as a team, how we’re going to approach that.”