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.
"I don't have to hate them," he told the 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. "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."
Steve Smith has targeted England's inexperienced batting line-up. But Broad said: "When you go to Australia you have to have a genuine belief in your team.”