Cricket fans have been given a delicious preview to the next chapter in the longstanding rivalry between David Warner and Stuart Broad, with the veteran pace bowler returning serve in ominous fashion hours after copping a sledge from the Aussie.
Broad, now 36, has had his place in England's bowling attack questioned in the past 12 months but every time he's been challenged he's answered it with wickets.
That scenario played out again overnight with Warner questioning whether Broad would be picked for the Ashes and the Englishman immediately squashing the debate.
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A fortnight out from the Ashes, Warner was asked about Broad, who tormented him the last time Australia toured England.
With that door open, Warner took the opportunity to question whether Broad was still the force he once was, and suggested he isn't necessarily a lock to open the bowling for England's attack when play gets underway at Edgbaston on June 17.
"He's got to get selected first," Warner said provocatively in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
The timing of the interview couldn't have been more pertinent, with Broad overnight showing he is still a force to be reckoned with, picking up a bag against Ireland on the first day of their standalone Test at Lord's.
Looking in fine fettle, Broad took 5-51 from 17 overs to help dismiss the Irish for 172 in just 56.2 overs, before 'Bazball' from Zak Crawley, Ben Ducket and Ollie Pope left the hosts 1-152 at stumps from just 25 overs.
The quick's strong performance will likely ensure a Warner v Broad encore in the first Test, with the Englishman licking his lips at the prospect of keeping his foot on the champion opener's throat.
During the last Ashes series in England in 2019, Broad comprehensively dominated Warner.
In 10 innings, Warner scored just 95 runs - with 61 of them coming in the first innings of the now infamous third Test in Headingley.
Crucially, Broad took Warner's wicket seven times across the series.
Warner conceded he was too defensive against Broad in that 2019 series, but hasn't build a game plan for this series.
"I don't really have any plans, to be honest, so if he gets selected, then I'll adjust when I'm out there," Warner said.
"Hopefully, this time around I can come out and look to score and play in a positive way."
Warner has made just a single century - his 200 during the Boxing Day test last December - in the past two years, and has been under constant scrutiny around his position in the Test side and whether or not he is past his best.
But he remains strongly backed by skipper Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald.
"I'm picked here for a series to play cricket," Warner said.
"No one has spoken to me about any situation. I'm just here as an opening batter to continue my decade-long career."
Broad told the BBC after rolling through Ireland's top order that he was "addicted" to playing the aggressive cricket the English side has become known for under coach Brendon McCullum.
"It is just so fun, and our main objective is just to entertain everyone who is in the seats, on the radio or on the TV and that is so fun as a player because you are not thinking about the results, you are purely thinking about entertainment," he said.
Broad said he felt he had bowled well in the past we months and was feeling fresh.
"I have done exactly what I want to do by taking important wickets."
Australia's Ashes preparation get underway at Lord's next week with the final of the World Test Championship against India.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Cricket fans have been given a delicious preview to the next chapter in the longstanding rivalry between David Warner and Stuart Broad, with the veteran pace bowler returning serve in ominous fashion hours after copping a sledge from the Aussie.
Broad, now 36, has had his place in England's bowling attack questioned in the past 12 months but every time he's been challenged he's answered it with wickets.
That scenario played out again overnight with Warner questioning whether Broad would be picked for the Ashes and the Englishman immediately squashing the debate.
READ MORE: Blues star taken to hospital 'coughing up blood'
READ MORE: Legend stunned as De Minaur leaves Aussies stranded
READ MORE: Suncorp miracle only thing that can save Fittler
A fortnight out from the Ashes, Warner was asked about Broad, who tormented him the last time Australia toured England.
With that door open, Warner took the opportunity to question whether Broad was still the force he once was, and suggested he isn't necessarily a lock to open the bowling for England's attack when play gets underway at Edgbaston on June 17.
"He's got to get selected first," Warner said provocatively in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
The timing of the interview couldn't have been more pertinent, with Broad overnight showing he is still a force to be reckoned with, picking up a bag against Ireland on the first day of their standalone Test at Lord's.
Looking in fine fettle, Broad took 5-51 from 17 overs to help dismiss the Irish for 172 in just 56.2 overs, before 'Bazball' from Zak Crawley, Ben Ducket and Ollie Pope left the hosts 1-152 at stumps from just 25 overs.
The quick's strong performance will likely ensure a Warner v Broad encore in the first Test, with the Englishman licking his lips at the prospect of keeping his foot on the champion opener's throat.
During the last Ashes series in England in 2019, Broad comprehensively dominated Warner.
In 10 innings, Warner scored just 95 runs - with 61 of them coming in the first innings of the now infamous third Test in Headingley.
Crucially, Broad took Warner's wicket seven times across the series.
Warner conceded he was too defensive against Broad in that 2019 series, but hasn't build a game plan for this series.
"I don't really have any plans, to be honest, so if he gets selected, then I'll adjust when I'm out there," Warner said.
"Hopefully, this time around I can come out and look to score and play in a positive way."
Warner has made just a single century - his 200 during the Boxing Day test last December - in the past two years, and has been under constant scrutiny around his position in the Test side and whether or not he is past his best.
But he remains strongly backed by skipper Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald.
"I'm picked here for a series to play cricket," Warner said.
"No one has spoken to me about any situation. I'm just here as an opening batter to continue my decade-long career."
Broad told the BBC after rolling through Ireland's top order that he was "addicted" to playing the aggressive cricket the English side has become known for under coach Brendon McCullum.
"It is just so fun, and our main objective is just to entertain everyone who is in the seats, on the radio or on the TV and that is so fun as a player because you are not thinking about the results, you are purely thinking about entertainment," he said.
Broad said he felt he had bowled well in the past we months and was feeling fresh.
"I have done exactly what I want to do by taking important wickets."
Australia's Ashes preparation get underway at Lord's next week with the final of the World Test Championship against India.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
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