Warner wants Anderson and England fired up amid war of words

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Melbourne, December 24: Australia opener David Warner urged James Anderson and England to come out of their shells and fire up after accusing the veteran paceman of going silent during the third Ashes Test to stoke the fire ahead of the Boxing Day blockbuster.

Anderson has become enemy number one during the Ashes series with his outspoken comments drawing the ire of Steve Smith's Australia, namely Mitchell Starc and now Warner.

Starc hit back at Anderson, who claimed Australia have problems in their bowling depth, despite the hosts reclaiming the Ashes and taking an unassailable 3-0 lead heading to Melbourne.

Anderson also accused Australia of bullying tactics amid on-field sledging, while he seemingly flagged some concerns about bouncers being bowled by the Aussies.

Warner responded Christmas Eve, the star batsman telling reporters on Sunday (December 24): "He talks about us being up all the time when we're in front but different story there - he was firing shots at the captain apparently, then went very quiet as soon as he saw the wicket was quite flat at the WACA.

"That's what happens in this form of the game, sometimes you can ride the coattails of being in front and what not, but it's Test cricket, it's hard-fought out there.

"Sometimes you pick your times when you want to go at people, sometimes you go into your shell like a turtle. We've probably shut them up a little bit at the moment, hopefully this gets them up and going and they fire some barbs at us, because I love that, I love whenever we're in a contest and I feel like they were quite flat in WACA, that's for sure.

"We don't dwell on what he says at all. He can fire those barbs at us. When you do bowl 145kph plus, you tend to get a couple of injuries. Everyone has had their fair share of injuries.

"Our depth is fantastic, we know what Australian cricket has to offer. I just think England aren't used to having or producing fast bowlers."

Source: OPTA