Anderson says England ready for Aussie aggression

England want to dismiss rather than deride David Warner.

But frontline paceman Jimmy Anderson admits it will not take much to fire up the Australian batsman in Saturday’s cricket World Cup opener at the MCG.

Warner is a renowned sledger and the ICC have promised a crackdown on player behaviour during Cup matches.

Asked if England might throw a few barbs at Warner, Anderson replied: “Having played against him in the past, I’m not sure he needs too much encouragement.

“But we’re going to go out there and concentrate on what we do.

“We’re going to try to be aggressive with the ball … all the way through the innings, try to take wickets.

“Our main job is to get him out, not to rile him up – so we’ll be concentrating on that.”

Anderson expects no ill feeling in the match, given what happened during the one-day tri series in the leadup to the Cup.

“We’ve played three games against them already in the last few weeks … that was played I thought in a great spirit,” he said.

“I presume it will continue like that tomorrow.”

Regardless of what happens between the two teams, Anderson fully expects plenty of stick over the fence.

The clash is expected to attract a crowd of around 90,000.

“We’re guessing that the majority will be against us, so that’s something we’re prepared for,” he said.

“If we can start well then we know we can quieten most of them – but it’s all about starting well.”

Anderson defended out-of-form captain Eoin Morgan, after English commentator Geoffrey Boycott said was not as good a batsman as he thinks he is.

“That’s rich, coming from him,” Anderson said.

“Morgs is a world-class player … we’re just hopeful he can get some form, because we know how destructive he can be.”

While England lost all three games to Australia in the tri series, Anderson said they did some things well and their confidence is growing.

“We know we have work to do, probably in the middle periods, both with bat and ball,” he said.

“At the death with the ball as well, it’s something we’re still working really hard on.”