England fast bowler Ollie Robinson has swung the first punch ahead of the 2023 Ashes Series, stating he hopes the touring Australians receive "a good hiding" when they face Brendon McCullum's in-form XI.
England have been in fine form since McCullum's appointment as coach, playing a more aggressive style with the bat to post record scores and run chases in recent months.
Having recently tied a series away to New Zealand following a 3-0 win over Pakistan, England's red-ball form will spark some fear in Australia, who are coming off a trip to India that ended with mixed emotions and a 2-1 loss.
Following a World Test Championship Final against India at The Oval in June, Australia will turn their attention to the Ashes for what will be an enticing five-Test series.
Looking to start the verbal to-and-fro early, Robinson expressed his confidence in retaining the Ashes, and potentially doing so with ease.
“It doesn't get much better than that,” Robinson told BBC Radio.
“It's a dream come true to be involved in a home Ashes. When we went to Australia, we weren't quite at our best.
“But with the team and the squad we've got at the moment, it's such an exciting time to play Australia at home. I really feel like we could get one over on them, and give them a good hiding.”
Robinson managed to feature in four of the five Ashes Tests last summer when England toured down under, with the Kent native managing to take 11 wickets while also facing a string of injury and fitness concerns.
Like a number of his Australian counterparts, Robinson will be looking to find some form at the County level in the build-up to the Ashes.
The English quick said the extra conditioning will hopefully help keep his body in ship shape after an injury-interrupted past 18 months.
“Hopefully I'll be able to play quite a lot,” Robinson said.
“Last year, I had a month of not playing at it sort of put me back in the summer, so this year I'm going to try and play early, play as much as possible and just keep myself playing cricket.
"I feel like that's when I'm at my best and that's when my body's at its best.”
The first Ashes Test will commence at Edgbaston on June 16.
