'Australian public wants to see Bazball destroyed'

Ben Stokes (left) with his arms folded in conversation with Brendon McCullum, who is wearing a cap and sunglasses at a training session ahead of The AshesGetty Images

England have won 25 of their 41 Tests with Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum in tandem

Excitement is at fever pitch in Australia ahead of the first Test in Perth on Friday, with the hosts' media machine in full flow since England arrived.

They have faced a barrage of headlines from the Australian media, led by the West Australian newspaper, making this the most anticipated Ashes series down under for many years.

But as Australian cricket writer and broadcaster Melinda Farrell explains, it is England's 'Bazball' style of cricket that has really got under the skin of Australian cricket folk.

So defeating the philosophy created by captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum is driving the Aussie psyche in the build-up.

"Yes, Australia want to win the Ashes," Farrell told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"But I think even more that, the Australian public and quite a few people in the media, they want to destroy Bazball.

"They want to put it on a stake and burn it and throw away the Ashes into a deep, dark hole so they'll never be seen again.

"That's the Ashes they want - the Ashes of Bazball!"