English Test skipper Joe Root feels that it was “extreme” comments from Australia opener David Warner to call the Ashes series to “war”.

Warner was hugely criticized when he was asked in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation earlier this month what the Ashes meant to him, he replied: “The history, the pride that is at stake. As soon as you step on that line it’s war. You try and get into a battle as quick as you can. I try and look in the opposition’s eye and work out how can I dislike this player, how can I get on top of him. You’ve got to find that spark in yourself to really take it to the opposition. You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to get some sort of hatred about them.”

When a reporters asked Root to about Warner’s remarks, he replied, “I wouldn’t say that’s exactly how I go about it. It’s a competitive sport, everyone goes out there desperate to do well, desperate to win, I would never refer to it as war, I think that’s a bit extreme.”

Warner and Root do have a rich history as the forme was banned by Australia for part of their 2013 tour of England after punching Root in a Birmingham bar. Talking about Warner further, the English skipper said, “You know what you get with David. What you see is what you get. He’s passionate, he wants to do well for his country and it’s going to be a very entertaining series.”

Former England opener Marcus Trescothick labeled Warner’s comments as “pathetic”, while the Australian has since appeared to row back from his initial remarks.

Ashes series is about to commence on November 23 with a 5-Test series and the England team will start their quest to defend their title in Brisbane.