Warner attracts rival fury

ENGLAND’S Barmy Army has outlined plans to torment Australian opener David Warner with the type of verbal abuse that sent Mitchell Johnson into an Ashes meltdown.

As Australia and England prepare for the Ashes opener starting today at the Gabba, Barmy Army bosses have set the scene for a fiery series by labelling Warner an “idiot”.

Warner has turned up the heat on the old enemy, claiming all- rounder Ben Stokes has let his country down with his recent alcohol- fuelled punching spree.

But the Barmy Army are ready to return serve, with more than 4000 rabid Pommy supporters to descend on the Gabba primed to target Warner with a Johnson- style tirade.

Warner recently angered his English rivals when he compared an Ashes series to “war” and claimed the likes of Joe Root and Jonathan Trott had “scared eyes” in their last meeting at the Gabba in 2013.

Warner’s comments have triggered a fierce riposte from English skipper Root and the Barmy Army.

“Warner will be public enemy No. 1 this summer,” said Barmy Army co- founder Dave Peacock.

“His idiotic comments … have only served to increase the level of animosity we have towards him. Can we do what we did to Mitchell Johnson? We’ll be trying.”

Johnson’s career dramatically went off the rails after the Ashes series in England in 2009 when the Barmy Army baited him as he waged a private family struggle.

Johnson later admitted the Barmy Army’s constant abuse psychologically destroyed him.