Melbourne: England were caught napping by Australia's aggression during the ill-fated 2013-14 Ashes campaign, but captain Joe Root says they are fully prepared for short-pitched bowling and on-field chatter when the series kicks off in Brisbane next week.

Root was a member of Alastair Cook's side that was demolished by a Mitchell Johnson-led pace assault and sledged relentlessly throughout the series sweep four years ago. Root, then 22, won praise for a defiant half-century in the Adelaide Test, but like the rest of the England batsmen, struggled to score runs on most of Australia's pitches.

"There's been a lot of talk. Some of it exciting and some of it a load of rubbish, especially from some of the Aussie players. "I think last time it, maybe, caught us out," Root told reporters on Tuesday in Townsville where England are preparing for their final warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI.

"I think we're a little bit wiser to it this time around. It's still about making sure we're absolutely prepared for any scenario out there.

"We're expecting it to be hostile, we're expecting it to be very loud and rowdy atmosphere at the Gabba. Hopefully, we'll be in a really good place and really ready for that because I think we've got our heads round what to expect."

With all-rounder Ben Stokes absent from the tour, Root will have a bigger load to carry in leading a team with a number of inexperienced batsmen.

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon said last week the home side's bowlers would compete fiercely for the England captain's wicket. Root, however, was unfazed by the attention.

"From our point of view, we'll be targeting every single one of them. We won't be singling any guys out.

"Bring it on. It's what it's about. You want that competitive element and those little in-house rivalries, if you like."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has accused Australia of making things hard for England in their preparations.

"I think we've mentally approached that slightly differently this time around and probably slightly better, if I'm being brutally honest," he said. "Obviously, it would have been nice to get a feel for the grounds." Agencies