Mitchell Johnson: Ashes sledging won't stop

England captain Alastair Cook believes both sides have a responsibility to the game to behave during the much-hyped series, claiming they now had a great opportunity to make a real statement about the spirit of the game.

Following the recent series against New Zealand, during which the Black Caps won praise for the way they conducted themselves in an entertaining tour, Anderson said he hoped the Ashes could be played out in the same nature.

Johnson, though, gave those words short shift when the inevitable subject of sledging was brought up as he talked to the media ahead of the tour match against Essex in Chelmsford, which starts on Wednesday.

"That is interesting coming from him because he is probably one of the biggest ones in the England team. I don't think anything is going to change. I think he is just trying to get it out there to make himself look better," said Johnson, who had his own personal spat with Anderson during the 2010 Ashes Test in Perth.

Queenslander Johnson is also certainly no stranger to a bit of on-pitch confrontation.

During the 2013 Adelaide Ashes Test, Johnson clashed with England batsman Ben Stokes, the pair bumping shoulders while running down the wicket, which led to a charge from the International Cricket Council.

Johnson believes the game would be poorer without such rivalry, however.

"We like someone who has got a bit of guts and determination, having a bit of fire in the game. That is what people want to see in Test cricket," said the 33-year-old. "Do I like it? Who likes getting sledged every day? It has just been part of the game and I have been targeted all over the world. Now, being able to experience all of that has made me a better player and a better person, that is where I think I have to be able to help the younger guys who have not been through that experience."

Opener David Warner sat out the Kent match, but will be at the head of the batting in Chelmsford, where Chris Rogers, who scored 84 and 45 at Canterbury, will be out to cement his place in the Test XI, having missed the tour of the West Indies because of concussion.

All-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Shane Watson are also set to stake their claim, while quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and spinner Nathan Lyon will lead the attack for the tourists.

While Australia continue their preparations on the pitch, England are currently on a training camp in Spain under the charge of new coach Trevor Bayliss.

Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes appointing one of his own countrymen to the top job in English cricket was a strange move.

"Can it get any worse?! I guess it's a negative thing for English coaches that there weren't too many thrown up at the top of the list," said McGrath. "When you see Australian coaches around the world coaching other teams it shows how great a job we have done."