Finding 'hatred' key in Ashes, says Warner

David Warner says Australia must find "some sort of hatred" for England and he plans to reprise the role of verbal aggressor when the two sides meet at the Gabba next month.

Warner took the traditional pre-series war of words up a notch today and said England could expect plenty of hostility and aggression on the field in the Magellan Ashes.

Warner famously said England's players had "scared eyes" when facing up to the short-pitched pace barrage of Mitchell Johnson midway through the first Test of the 2013-14 series, and said today those comments "could have played a little role in the back of their minds" as Johnson steamrolled England to the tune of 37 wickets and a 5-0 whitewash.

"When you talk about four years ago, in that first Test I made some statements in the media. I thought it was a great thing to come out speak what I thought, and I have no regrets about that. I think that could have played a little role in the back of their minds," Warner told Jim Maxwell on ABC Grandstand today.

"At the moment, I'm not going to put any vibes out there or get into a verbal stoush in the media, but come day one when we walk out there, there will definitely be some words exchanged here and there."

Much has changed for Warner in the intervening four years, the 'Bull' earned a new nickname as the 'Reverend' among teammates for his quietened on-field demeanour and tee-totalling ways. He ascended to the team's vice-captaincy and has not been defeated in three white-ball series in charge while Steve Smith has been absent.

An older, wiser, more mature and settled Warner, who was crowned the 2016 Sports Dad of the Year, says the Ashes still brings his deepest competitive edge to the surface.

"The history, the pride that is at stake. As soon as you step on that line it's war," Warner said when asked what the Ashes meant to him.

"You try and get into a battle as quick as you can. I try and look in the opposition's eye and work out how can I dislike this player, how can I get on top of him.

"You've got to find that spark in yourself to really take it to the opposition. You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to get some sort of hatred about them."

But Warner has learned the lessons from his previous run ins with the ICC's Code of Conduct, and with a crackdown on verbals broadcast over the stump mic – coincidentally that began with former captain Michael Clarke's infamous exchange with Jimmy Anderson at the Gabba four years ago – a more refined approach is called for.

"The subtle approach these days is how it goes," Warner said.

"Look at the Indian series we played, it can get under your skin quite quickly, and the heat gets to everyone, so we just have to wait and see. "

It remains to be seen how the current England squad handle the express pace of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, but Warner said Australia's net sessions provided plenty of opportunity to test the courage.

"I can tell you now I'm very scared when it comes to the nets so hopefully they (England) are scared because it is challenging facing our guys," Warner said, tipping Cummins to be the weapon to put the heat on England's batters.

"I think he will play a big role in this Ashes," Warner said. "To play back-to-back games after a long period off, it's a credit to him, he's really toiled hard."

Cummins has played five Tests now, all of them abroad, and is yet to feature in the same Test attack as Starc. Understandably, anticipation is high ahead of the Gabba opener on November 23.

"He's really, really pumped for this series and to play on his home soil," Warner added.

"He's really excited and hopefully the adrenalin kicks in for him and he can fire big time."

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