Warner: Ashes will be a war

COMBATIVE australia opener David Warner expects an ashes ‘war’ with england.

Warner, who infamously punched Joe root in a Birmingham nightclub in 2013, insists he does not want to start a verbal sparring match with the first Test starting in in Brisbane on november 23. However, he made it clear he will fight his corner.

‘as soon as you step on that line it’s war,’ Warner told ABC Grandstand.

‘You get into battle as quick as you can. i look in the opposition’s eyes and try to work out “how can i dislike this player”? You have to get some hatred about them.

‘i’m not going to get into a verbal stoush (brawl) but come day one there will definitely be words exchanged.’

australia captain Steve Smith, meanwhile, hailed Ben Stokes as one of the world’s top players but criticised the englishman for being arrested after a scuffle outside a nightclub recently.

‘i don’t condone that kind of behaviour,’ Smith said. ‘Hopefully, it never happens to one of our boys.’