Runs get Bull a long leash: Lehmann

Head coach Darren Lehmann says he doesn't know which version of David Warner will feature in the Magellan Ashes, but as long as the Australia vice-captain makes runs he'll be happy.

Warner has been Australian cricket's Jekyll and Hyde in recent years, switching from the ultra-aggressive 'Bull' to the overwhelmingly optimistic 'Reverend' on a series-by-series basis.

But the personas matter little to Lehmann, who is more interested in Warner's output as a batsman and his tactical nous as Steve Smith's deputy.

"Whichever way (Warner) decides to go, he'll go – he's his own man," Lehmann told cricket.com.au.

"Bull, Reverend, Bull, Reverend, I don't know which one turns up, but the main thing for him is that he leads well.

"He helps Steven (Smith) out as vice-captain, which he will do, and makes runs.

"If he decides to get stuck into their players, which I'm sure he will at various stages, that will come back both ways."

With the first Ashes Test five weeks away, the Test deputy has offered a teaser as to which character will take the field for the blockbuster summer of cricket.

"I might wind the clock back a little bit," Warner told cricket.com.au. "You might see some more aggression, a bit of banter, I might push the boundaries a little bit.

"Sometimes you know where the line is, sometimes you want to cross it. We'll have to wait and see."

Lehmann has no doubt the animosity on the field between Test cricket's oldest and most storied rivals will be dialled up, with Warner at the frontline of the verbal assault.

The 30-year-old has likened the Ashes to "war", a description labelled "pathetic" by former England opener Marcus Trescothick, but Lehmann doesn't expect the sledging to enter the no-go zone of personal attacks.

"It's going to be a fiery series at different times but they all know each other reasonably well because they play so much cricket with and against each other these days," Lehmann said.

"As long as it doesn't go personal, and no-one will go down that path, but I'm sure our boys will give as good as they get."

Lehmann said a series Down Under would play into Australian hands, as it had done in two of the past three series that ended in five-nil whitewashes in the home side's favour.

Image Id: C20AE71B639746AAA32B610B3A01E942 Image Caption: Prior pushes Warner back in an exchange with Bell in 2013 // Getty

Asked if the group had spoken about sledging certain English players, Lehmann was unequivocal. "Certainly different players, very much so," he said. "That's just having the advantage of playing at home.

"The crowd gets behind you and it's amazing what the crowd can do. The 25 million people (in Australia) and all the people coming to the games, they're just as big a player as the 11 playing on the ground."

Warner did however lament the extent to which the game has been sanitised in sport's contemporary climate.

Image Id: ED6E5CAC77C04EC08B0ED7412D9545EC Image Caption: Clarke and Warner banter with the Barmy Army // Getty

"Given today's nature of the game with stump mics and everything, I think it's taken the edge out of it a little bit," he added.

"Everyone can lip read … you've got to be careful about what you say.

"Has it taken the banter and the aggression a bit out of the game? I think it has.

Image Id: 65049A23D9E24BEA8D6495E75E1F5AB1 Image Caption: Virat Kohli has words with Warner in the 2014 summer // Getty

"I'd love to see that aggression out there. Even if you stare at batsman these days it's frowned upon. I like that competitiveness.

"I love that if you play and miss the bowler comes down and stares at me. You like staring (back at) them. You say, 'Alright, you're on, and I'm on, too'.

"I don't want cricket to get away from that. I think that's what the fans want"

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21