Aussies not too friendly with 'Poms': Langer

The opener has rejected claims that Australia is 'too matey' with English rivals heading into Ashes.

Australia opening batsman Justin Langer has rejected claims from national selector Merv Hughes that the team are too friendly with their English rivals heading into this year's Ashes series.

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Former firebrand Test fast bowler Hughes believes Australian friendships with English players may have contributed to their shock Ashes defeat in England last year.

Hughes was dismayed to see Hampshire team-mates Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen exchange jokes and share beers after play in the last series while all the Australians enjoyed the company of star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

And he insisted Australia must again be indoctrinated with the ruthless, hard-nosed attitude towards England that was pioneered by long-serving former skipper Allan Border, also a current national selector.

"It was all too matey for me," Hughes was quoted as saying in Sydney Daily Telegraph of last year's seismic Ashes loss.

"Imagine if Shane Warne and (England's) Kevin Pietersen didn't have that friendship. Who knows what would have happened?

"We lost the attitude towards the English that we once had, the attitude that was introduced by Allan Border.