Australian captain Ricky Ponting is not concerned by suggestions that friendships between the Australian and English players had resulted in his side losing its 'hard nose'.
Last month Test selector Merv Hughes said that friendships between the competing countries meant Australia was not as competitive as they were under previous captains Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh.
Waugh, whose team was notorious for its competitive playing style that sometimes landed players in trouble, later agreed with Hughes' sentiments.
Ponting, however, said that there was no reason a competitive sporting contest could not be a friendly one.
"When we are really aggressive we play our best cricket and you can still be aggressive with a smile on your face, there is no doubt about that," Ponting told the ABC.
"We'll get out and do that all again, and this time I can pretty much guarantee the result will be different."