Wednesday 1 July 2015 12:38, UK
Australia great Shane Warne says England fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad can expect plenty of sledging in this summer’s Ashes series.
And Broad in particular should prepare himself for a barrage of short-pitched bowling from the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Ryan Harris, all of whom can bowl well over 90mph.
Anderson has contrasted the sporting atmosphere which prevailed during England's recent series with New Zealand to the "needle" that existed during the last Ashes campaign, which Australia won 5-0 on home soil in 2013/14.
Infamously told by Australia captain Michael Clarke to "get ready for a ******* broken arm" during the first Test in Brisbane, Anderson said he hoped the latest series between the arch-rivals could be played in the same spirit as England's series with New Zealand.
"That was a really positive series and the nature of both sides' cricket was helped by the spirit the game was played in," Anderson said Wednesday.
Sky Sports pundit Warne, writing in the Sunday Times, insists there is no chance of that and says that Broad may have been unwise to admit he is uncomfortable against the short ball.
“Are you for real Jimmy? Seriously! This is the Ashes and I can tell Jimmy now that he is going to cop it from the Aussies more than anyone. When he's batting, it will be 11 against one in the middle," he wrote.
"I reckon Michael Clarke and his team will carry on from the last (Ashes) series and give it to Jimmy and Stuart Broad."
Warne added: "There isn't anyone in world cricket who doesn't know about Stuart Broad's concerns with the short ball. If you had your time again Stuart, would you really have fessed up in public about this?
"When either of those two (Anderson and Broad) bat, the Aussie fielders will be like koalas round a eucalyptus tree."
The first Investec Ashes Test is live from Cardiff on our dedicated Sky Sports Ashes channel from Wednesday July 8
