Sledging days over for Anderson

Ahead of Wednesday's opener in Cardiff much of the talk has been about on-field dissent between players, with Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson telling opposite number Anderson he was "one of the biggest ones in the England team" when it comes to serving up volleys of abuse.

But writing in The Sun, Anderson says his days of looking for trouble are behind him.

"The pre-Ashes phoney war has been in full swing for a while now - and I've already been called a hypocrite," said England's leading Test wicket-taker.

"It's all because I said that verbal confrontations are not something I need as much these days. I've come to realise I don't need to chirp away.

"It was something I used effectively for a few years and it helped my game. But I'm at a stage in my career where I'm not keen to engage opponents in wars of words as much as I did."

Anderson's new-found approach has been questioned by Johnson and Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin.

"The response from Haddin and Johnson was that I should look in the mirror because I've started plenty of confrontations," Anderson added.

"Well I'm not saying I didn't. What I am saying is that it's not something I rely on any more. We (England) are not going to seek out trouble, go looking for fights or start sledging."

England and Australia will face the media in Cardiff on Monday morning as preparations enter the final 48 hours.