Let the sledging begin: Ashes veteran Mitchell Johnson calls out England bowler James Anderson

Australia's Mitchell Johnson, right, and David Warner will open the Ashes with England next week. Reuters / John Sibley

LONDON // Ashes veteran Mitchell Johnson said the likes of England bowler James Anderson will not be able to resist “sledging” when battle for the urn begins in Cardiff next week.

England captain Alastair Cook said both sides have a responsibility to the game to behave during the much-hyped series, claiming they had a great opportunity to make a real statement about the spirit of the game.

Following the recent series against New Zealand, during which the Black Caps won praise for the way they conducted themselves in an entertaining tour, Anderson said he hoped the Ashes could be played out in the same nature.

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Johnson, though, gave those words short shrift when the inevitable subject of sledging was brought up ahead of the tour match against Essex in Chelmsford that starts on Wednesday.

“That is interesting coming from him because he is probably one of the biggest ones in the England team,” said Johnson, who had a spat with Anderson during the 2010 Ashes Test in Perth.

“I don’t think anything is going to change. I think he is just trying to get it out there to make himself look better.”

Queenslander Johnson is also certainly no stranger to a bit of on-pitch confrontation.

During the 2013 Adelaide Ashes Test, Johnson clashed with England batsman Ben Stokes, the pair bumping shoulders while running down the wicket, which led to a charge from the International Cricket Council.

Johnson said the game would be poorer without such rivalry.

“We like someone who has got a bit of guts and determination, having a bit of fire in the game. That is what people want to see in Test cricket,” said the 33-year-old seam bowler.

“Do I like it? Who likes getting sledged every day? It has just been part of the game and I have been targeted all over the world.

“Now, being able to experience all of that has made me a better player and a better person, that is where I think I have to be able to help the younger guys who have not been through that ­experience.”

Opener David Warner sat out the Kent match, but will be at the head of the batting in Chelmsford, where Chris Rogers, who scored 84 and 45 at Canterbury, will be out to cement his place in the Test team, having missed the tour of the West Indies because of ­concussion.

All-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Shane Watson are also set to stake their claim, while quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and spinner Nathan Lyon will lead the attack for the tourists.

While Australia continue their preparations on the pitch, England are on a training camp in Spain under the charge of new coach Trevor Bayliss.

Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath said appointing one of his countrymen to the top job in English cricket was a strange move.

“Can it get any worse? I guess it’s a negative thing for English coaches that there weren’t too many thrown up at the top of the list,” McGrath said.

“When you see Australian coaches around the world coaching other teams it shows how great a job we have done.”

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