Cricket: Sledge away - you'll only fire me up; COUNTDOWN TO THE

THIS is going to be the most fiercely contested Ashes series ever - and we're going to fight fire with fire.

It's the only way for us to win.

The Aussies are renowned for their in-your-face, no-nonsense style.

They have built their big reputation by showing the opposition no mercy.

But I have a message for Steve Waugh and his men. They can call me anything they like - I won't buckle.

I don't mind engaging in a bit of verbal myself if it will help the side get on top.

Anyway, after some of the things we had to put up with on the sub- continent over the winter I don't think any comments the Aussies come up with could make a difference.

Wasim and Waqar especially got stuck into me, while Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdur Razzaq also had their say.

I don't mind a bit of cheeky chit-chat. But some of the verbals on the sub-continent were well over the top.

In one tour match in Sri Lanka, I encountered racism, pure and simple. Had we said the same things to Sri Lankan players over here there would have been a major public outcry.

But we just had to accept it and get on with trying to win a Test series - which we did.

The Australians know just how tough it is to win on the sub- continent, so I am sure they will treat us with plenty of respect. Mind you, that won't stop them sledging like crazy.

They are sure to single out certain people for special treatment - and I will be one of the guys on the short-list.

I usually get the old remarks about my background, having been brought up in Australia. Stuff like "We're going to get the traitor out" doesn't bother me.

If a bowler comes down and gives me some lip, the best way to repay him is by smashing him to the boundary. Talk is cheap, but a few runs and wickets speak volumes.

I'm positive this will be one of the best Ashes series in years. Both sides love to play aggressive cricket and it's a chance for us to prove how far we have come.

Glenn McGrath may reckon our series wins in Pakistan and Sri Lanka were boring and that we are a negative side, but I'm sure he'll see a different approach from this England side in this series.

We did what we had to do to win those campaigns. When you have flat, slow wickets you play the style of cricket needed to win the game.

This Ashes series will be completely different. We'll have lively, fast wickets.

It's going to be a real battle of the bowling attacks. Australia have a world-class line-up of fast bowlers and there's also Shane Warne. But I'd back Darren Gough and Andy Caddick against anybody, any day.

As for me, I'm no world-beater but I like to think I do my bit. If Caddy and Goughy can strike a few early blows my job is to keep the pressure on and the wickets falling.

If the batsmen can play their part, we have a great chance of winning the Ashes.

We've certainly got the best captain. Nasser Hussain has led by example from the first day he took the helm. He is always straight with you. As long as you do your best, that's fine by him.

The Aussies bang on about their great team spirit. Well, this is the best and happiest England side I've known. We're in this together and everyone gets on very well.

It's that unity which can give us a great shot at the Ashes. It's giving me goose-bumps just thinking about it.

Let's get it straight. The pressure is on Australia. They know people are expecting them to win. Perhaps that's why they've been playing a few mind-games recently.

What a great summer it will be if we win the Ashes, Tim Henman wins Wimbledon and the Lions come out on top Down Under. Fingers crossed!

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