Australia captain Tim Paine has accused England hero Ben Stokes of using David Warner to sell his new book.
Last week, Stokes claimed persistent sledging from Warner inspired his match-winning and Ashes-saving century in the third Test at Headingley last summer.
Asked whether it was a cheap shot from Stokes, Paine said: ‘Oh absolutely.
‘It just seems to be a common trend in England that they like to use Davey’s name to spike book sales.
‘I was obviously standing next to David the whole time and you are allowed to talk on the cricket field.
‘But by no means was he abusing him or sledging him.’
Stokes’ stunning 135 not out steered England to a remarkable one-wicket victory over Australia in Leeds and kept the Ashes alive with two Tests to play.
In an extract from his new book, ‘On Fire’, Stokes said: ‘Warner just wouldn’t shut up for most of my time out there.
‘A few of the Aussies were being quite chirpy but, in particular, David Warner seemed to have his heart set on disrupting me.
‘I could accept it from just about any other opponent. Truly. Not from him, though.’
Stokes’ heroics at Headingley prevented Australia from winning the Ashes outright but the tourists still retained the urn after drawing the five-match series 2-2.
England all-rounder Stokes will hope to help England beat New Zealand in a two-match Test series that starts on Wednesday evening.
