Ashes 2017-18: Australia determined 'to open a few scars', warns Josh Hazlewood

Australia's fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has vowed his team will look to "open up a few scars" when the Ashes series gets underway in Brisbane on Thursday (23 November).

England regained the urn in 2015 after a 3-2 win on home soil, but they have won just one of the last five Ashes series played Down Under and were whitewashed in 2006-07 and then in 2013-14, when Mitchell Johnson tore England's batting order to shreds.

While Johnson has since retired from international cricket, successor Hazlewood said his teammates were eager to remind England of the the pain they suffered when they last toured Australia.

"We have guys who played in that series who will remind England what happened," he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

The 26-year-old is part of a potent attacking line-up which also features the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, express bowlers capable of clocking well in excess of 90mph. On the other hand, England's batting line-up looks suspiciously inconsistent and they will place a lot of hope on Alastair Cook and captain Joe Root's shoulders.

The latter scored two centuries in the summer and passed the 50 mark in another six occasions over seven Tests, further cementing his reputation as one of the best batsmen in the world. However, Hazlewood suggested Australia were keen to remind the Yorkshireman of his most recent trip Down Under, when he was dropped for the final Test of the series after averaging just 27 over the first four matches.

"We'll certainly bring that up," said Hazlewood. "He's a different player to then, he's been fantastic player for the past couple of years.

"But we'll obviously bring that up and hope to open up a few scars of the guys that did tour here last time."

However, while the Australians have made no mystery of their desire to get on the front foot by launching a barrage against the English batsmen, England fast bowler Jake Ball said the hosts did not possess any particular "fear factor".

"All the batters have dealt with 90mph before and they will deal with it again," said the England seamer, who has declared himself fit for the first Test.

"They can talk it up, talk about their pace, but it's nothing that we haven't faced before. We'll look to put the pressure back on them."

Following the first Test in Brisbane, the series moves onto Adelaide and Perth, before the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the New Year's Day Test in Sydney.