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ALASTAIR Cook has rubbished David Warner's claim that England fear Australia and has backed Stuart Broad to be a fast-bowling bully this week.
Warner yesterday claimed England feared an Australian side that has not lost a Test in Brisbane since the West Indies prevailed in 1988.
Cook said the English were steeled by their Ashes series triumph in Australia in 2010-11.
"We certainly don't fear anyone," said Cook as England eyed a fourth consecutive Ashes series win for the first time since 1890.
"We are a very competitive side and there is no reason to fear any side out there.
"We don't really concentrate on what people say about us, it's how we play in that first hour tomorrow.
"People can say what they want, there has been a lot of words spoken, but we all know come 10 o'clock (today) all that matters is who plays best."
If any Englishman is up for the challenge of conquering Australia at the Gabba, it is Broad.
Australia believe they can unhinge Broad by punishing any wayward spells, but Cook said the 27-year-old would relish breaking the Gabba hoodoo.
England have not won at the Gabba since 1986, when Mike Gatting led them to a seven-wicket victory.
England captain Alastair Cook and Australia captain Michael Clarke hold a replica Ashes urn at the Gabba yesterday. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
"He's a very combative character," Cook said of Broad. "He is an in-your-face cricketer and I like that about him.
"He has the ability to change games. He has had a good preparation, he looks in fine fettle with the ball and is ready to go."
While captaincy counterpart Michael Clarke appeared tense yesterday, Cook was relaxed and affable.
Three consecutive successful Ashes campaigns have afforded Cook such comfort, but beneath the calm the English opener is anything but complacent.
"We have spoken about Australia's record here (in Brisbane) and not losing for 25 years," he said.
"We spoke about this in Lord's in 2009. We hadn't beaten Australia for 70-odd years at Lord's and we made a conscious effort to change that.
"When there are specific challenges ahead of us, we try to meet them.
"A lot of players in this squad were here in 2010-11 so we have experience of winning in Australia.
"We are trying to use that to the best of our ability and we know how important this game was last time for setting up the series.
"Australia have a good record here and it is our job to try to change that."
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