Prior says England will avoid verbal warfare in Ashes battle

Wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior insists that any sledging in this winter's Ashes series will be down to the Australians.

Prior's twin role either side of the stumps is sure to mean he finds himself regularly in the thick of the battle to retain the urn.

He believes it is up to each batsman to work out how best to deal with any pointed remarks which may come their way but makes it clear there is no intention on England's part to engage in verbal warfare.

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"It's a very individual thing, hugely so, certainly from a batsman's point of view," he said.

"Everyone has a different way of responding to it. That's for you to work out yourself.

"When we're in the field, I don't think sledging will be something we're going to go into any Test match looking to do.

"It's not something we concentrate on, or something we will focus on at all. We will focus on building intensity through our skills, bowling and fielding well and taking our catches and creating a natural energy by buzzing around.

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"I don't think we need to say too much or get into a war of words with anyone."

There has been plenty of instructive chat already, though, between those in the England squad – like Prior – on their first full tour to Australia, and those who have been there before.

Those previous experiences brought no success, notably in the 5-0 whitewash here at England's last attempt four years ago, but Prior senses they could be about to bear fruit for this campaign.

There will be no hint of hanging onto the Ashes either.

Prior spelled out England's aim is not to merely retain the urn, but to win it outright all over again.

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"Any series you go into you want to win. It's a dangerous thing to go into a series looking to draw it. That is certainly not the attitude we've come with," he said. "We want to win this series, and win it well."

He thinks it will prove an advantage for England to begin their campaign in Perth this week, a venue once renowned as by far the quickest pitch in the world and still naturally associated with pace and bounce.

The tourists have their first taste of those conditions against Western Australia on Friday, and will return for the third Test just before Christmas.

"From what I've heard, this is pretty much as extreme as you're going to get in terms of pace and bounce.

"I think to be thrown in the deep end is good. If you get thrown in the deep end and work backwards, it's easier than suddenly getting a shock later on."