Ashes banterometer - Shane Warne

So Shane Warne has begun the first proper banter of the Ashes by claiming England prefer to be underdogs. Hurrah! Let the banter, sledging and general pre-Ashes bullshit begin!

"England are basically now the second-best side in the world. It takes a bit of time to adapt," said Warne."It's a different mindset when you approach the series and suddenly your own expectations and everybody else's expectations are that you are going to win."

"England will have to come out to Australia and have to try and retain the trophy. It's a different position for them to be in. I am not sure they like it," Warne told Herald Sun. "For the first time, it will be us chasing England. It's a different mindset. I think they like the position that they are the underdogs and if they win, they win."

Interesting point. I think England, and Britain, do enjoy being underdogs. There are probably a hundred socialogical and historical reasons why this is so but, regardless, England won the Ashes and for the first time in my living memory, travel to Australia to defend them.