England star Joe Root has taken a sly dig at Australia ahead of a mouthwatering clash between the sides at the Cricket World Cup.
The two teams will square off in Ahmedabad on Saturday night in what will be their first on-field meet since the fiery Ashes series in England which was drawn 2-2.
It was one of the most bitter and ugly Ashes in memory, ignited largely by Alex Carey's controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord's.
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The war of words between the camps has continued in the months since, but Aussie batter Marnus Labuschagne insists it won't be a topic on the field on Saturday.
"I can't imagine anything's gonna come up with Jonny… it's dead and buried, something that we don't really talk about, we don't discuss," Labuschagne said.
"I don't think anyone's view or thoughts have changed on the decision on what happened and we just move on.
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"I know Jonny came out and spoke about it a few months ago but … we pre-record stuff and then it comes out two months later so it feels like it's topical again now, but that conversation was had months and months ago … as players, it's happened … I think everyone's moved on."
Whether the Bairstow incident will be mentioned on the field or not, the match is sure to bring the usual heat that comes with Australia playing England at any time.
And Root has thrown a match on the contest already with a bizarre claim in comparing the two squads.
England – the Cup holder and a pre-tournament favourite – has won a measly one of six matches, while the Aussies have won four of six and are steaming towards the semi finals.
England has been the laughing stock of the tournament, yet former captain Root believes their list is still stronger than Australia's.
"Man for man I'd have this team every day over the Australians," Root told media in India.
"We might not have played as well as we can but when we play our best stuff, the best teams struggle to compete with us.
"We have to remember that and take that into the next couple of days, both in physical practice and mentally to make sure we're in that frame of mind to take on Australia, which is what it's about for us now."
Both Australia and England felt they should have won the Ashes – rather than draw the series – and Saturday night's match will no doubt have a flavour of revenge spinkled on top.
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