A “hatred” of England will fuel Australia during this summer’s Ashes, according to vice-captain David Warner.
Warner is no longer the side’s serial sledger, having changed his ways both on and off the field during the past four years.
But the opener, who famously declared England had “scared eyes” during Australia’s 5-0 thumping of England in the 2013-14 Ashes, has already outlined his plans to get on the front foot next month.
“As soon as you step on that line it’s war,” Warner told ABC Radio.
“You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to actually get some hatred about them.
“I try and look in the opposition’s eye and try and work out ‘how can I dislike this player, how can I get on top of him?’
“You try and get into a battle as quick as you can.”
Warner added he had “no regrets” about his conduct during the most recent Ashes series on Australian soil.
“During that first Test I made some statements in the media and at the time I thought it was a great thing,” he said.
“That could have played a little bit of a role in the back of their minds.”
James
Guest
Yes beating them, but hate is a very strong and stupid word to use
Johnno
Guest
Dave Warner is old school, he's talking like a cricketer from the 70's or 80's or 90's.... Post-2000 Aussie players don't talk like this in this PC times hence why the shock by some of the comments in this PC era... But you go back to the 70's etc and this talk was norm, that old school fierce rivalry where beating England and the west indies was everything...
AREH
Roar Guru
Don't really know why he needs to do it, but I know he can't help himself. I'd imagine there is a serious feeling of confidence in the Australian camp all things considered.
Don Freo
Guest
Yeah...that was my original thought. Davy has moved beyond that and probably, in context, what he was talking about is nothing like that.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I actually really don't like stories like this. Because they always give quotes from a player, but it's never the entirety of what they've said, just excerpts, and they never mention the other side of the conversation. Generally these sorts of quotes come from a player being asked a question by a journalist, but the question is never mentioned. You never get a full transcript of the conversation in these sorts of stories, including questions asked by interviewers and all the conversation that lead up to that sort of statement, because taking it out of context and putting the statement in isolation makes for better click-bait.
Don Freo
Guest
It's still way more fun out on the field having playful digs. The "war/hate" thing has you concentrating on things other than cricket.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
The comment is "as soon as you step on that line it's war". So the suggestion is that when you walk onto the field you treat them as the enemy, but the moment you step back across the line at the end of the game that goes out the door. It's like State of Origin, where guys who are mates the rest of the time, and play on the same teams and everything, run onto that field, you'd be forgiven for thinking they absolutely hate the guys in the other team. But once that full-time siren blows, that's all out the window and you have the guy who won going to his mate in the losing side to console him. It's not an unusual thing.
Upfromdown
Guest
That's not really necessary.
Don Freo
Guest
I love Davy Warner but...nah! Cricket is a lot more fun when you enjoy the company of your rivals. Playful sledging with humour is great fun and is way better than the nasty stuff. People always want to beat their mates. It just makes the beer (or the PC Cola) taste better at the end of a day's play. This idea that it is combat misses one of the great elements of sports...it's a contest of skills while being unitive. That's fun!
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Davy just doing his bit to spice things up. Starkers was inviting the crowd to bait Benny Stokes ( might have to go to Wormwood Schrubs to do it).
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
'Hatred'? Ho hum.
jamesb
Guest
Yep I agree. Cricket does need more competitive countries so that it could have a freshness feel about it. I remember in 2013/14, there was 10 Ashes tests. That was overkill.
Christov
Guest
Maybe he can take another swing at Joe Root to prove he means it.
Sydneysider
Guest
Obviously not enough nations to play against to get motivated.
Jake
Guest
Whatever it takes to get you motivated.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Warner apparently has an IQ of 160.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Breaking news exclusive. Professional sports people. Generally not very bright.