Warner warns of sledge and bounce tactics to keep Proteas on back foot

Launching verbal attack ahead of their Proteas tour next month, Australian opener David Warner has said the World No. Test team will be on backfoot and will miss just -retired Jacques Kallis during the series.

He said a combination of sledging and express deliveries from Mitchell Johnson unsettled England's experienced batsmen in the Ashes, with Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen all averaging under 30 in the 5-0 series whitewash.

Warner said a couple of South African players are probably on the back foot and Australians are working on tactics get them out early.

He added that sledging would play a part in their approach, but the team would not go too far, Sport24 reports.

Warner accepted that Australians nudged the sledging line a couple of times and were able to get into England batsmen's heads.

The Proteas host Australia in three Tests and three T20s starting next month, starting February 12.