DON'T GET BEN STOKED UP'

DAVID WARNER has warned Australia not to “poke the bear" by trying to rile England captain Ben Stokes.

- BY SIMON CASS.

DAVID WARNER has warned Australia not to “poke the bear" by trying to rile England captain Ben Stokes.

The former Australia opener had more than his fair share of run-ins with England over then years but believes going after Stokes in next month's Ashes series would be a mistake.

“If we can sort of not poke that bear and get him up and about, I think that will help the Australians enormously,” he said.

“I had the fortunate privilege to share a changing room with him when he was younger and he has evolved into a serious cricketer and a fantastic leader.