Pietersen reacts as Aussies start the Ashes sledging

The war of words ahead of the Ashes series, which starts next month, is heating up as the England cricket team prepares to fly out to Australia on Friday.

On Wednesday night giant images of Australia captain Ricky Ponting and his deputy Michael Clarke were projected onto Big Ben with the message: "Don't forget to pack the urn". A subtle reminder to England that the Aussies are confident that they can reclaim the Ashes this winter.

Perhaps of more significance was Kevin Pietersen's angry response to some regulation goading from former Australia coach John Buchanan.

The 57-year-old, who has also worked with England, stirred things up by stating that Pietersen had the potential to be "a major problem" for England if his current slump in form continues. Pietersen has not scored a century since March 2009.

Buchanan also questioned whether Pietersen's personality would undermine England's team harmony.

After initially ignoring the comments Pietersen let rip when he said: "It was strange that he made headlines. I'm not interested in what he has to say. Who is he? He's a nobody.

"He had the best team to coach in the history of cricket. Anyone could have coached that team. He has done nothing else solid so I won't even take it with a pinch of salt."

The Australians may allow themselves a little smirk at Pietersen's reaction to the 'sledging', as they love to get up the noses of their opponents in order to throw them off their game.

Pietersen has revealed an increasingly short fuse in recent times, and in the summer found himself in trouble for an outburst on Twitter after being dropped from the England squad. But he later apologised and has been working on his form in South Africa ahead of the Ashes.

But he and the rest of the England squad can expect plenty more provocation when they arrive in Australia this weekend. ·