Broad laughs off Warner's 'war' talk

England paceman Stuart Broad is refusing to rise to Australia opener David Warner's declaration of "war" as Joe Root's men prepare to fly out to defend the Ashes.

The pugnacious Warner said earlier this month he would "dig deep to get some hatred" for the England team ahead of the series, adding: "As soon as you step on that line it's war."

Like Warner, Broad is familiar with the hostilities of the old rivalry but as England prepare to head Down Under, he is keeping calm.

"I don't have to hate them," he told the London Daily Telegraph. "It's a game of cricket, not war."

The Australian public, urged on by coach Darren Lehmann, heckled Broad throughout the 2013-14 series over his failure to walk for a clear nick in the previous series in England – during which Warner was the designated villain after throwing a pre-series punch at Root.

"Actually I loved that trip, I liked the pantomime villain stuff," said Broad.

"As a cricketer it was as close as you get to being a footballer playing away from home. (Lehmann) needed something to unite the public and media behind the Australian side and he chose me."

It was football that provided Broad's inspiration on that tour as he drew on another fierce rivalry – former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira's animosity with Manchester United counterpart Roy Keane and manager Alex Ferguson.

"Because I knew (the hostility) was coming, I prepared for it," said Broad. "I read Alex Ferguson's book about how he'd once told Patrick Vieira, who'd had dog's abuse from the Old Trafford crowd, 'they wouldn't be abusing you if they didn't respect you'.

"Whether Aussies meant it that way, that's how I decided to take it; they were only doing it because they were scared of me."

Australia captain Steve Smith has targeted England's inexperienced batting line-up this time around, with Mark Stoneman, James Vince and Dawid Malan in line to feature in the top five while doubt surrounds the participation of allrounder Ben Stokes for disciplinary reasons.

But Broad said: "When you go to Australia you have to have a genuine belief in your team that you can win. And I have that. I believe we can win.

"The (Andrew) Strauss-led side that got to number one in 2011 was the most efficient, disciplined group I've ever played with, but this team now is the most exciting," he added.

"Moeen (Ali), Jonny (Bairstow), Stokesy: you don't know what will happen. But something will. True, we're not as consistent. But we can win games out of nowhere."

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

Gillette 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

Gillette T20 INTL 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 13

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

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

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21