Nottinghamshire and New Zealand legend Sir Richard Hadlee has urged the Kiwis to let their cricket do the talking ahead of the first Test against Australia at the Gabba.
Hadlee, who took 589 international wickets for the Black Caps between 1973 and 1990, is no stranger to being on the receiving end of baggy green bravado - and he expects to see more of the same during the imminent three matches series.
"I expect the Australians to be confrontational,” said the 64-year-old former all-rounder. “They always have been and always will be.
"Nothing will change, they've said that. That's the way they play the game, so be it.
"Our approach will be to ignore all that, just get on and play the game as hard and as fair as we can and compete. Let all the talking be done with the skills."
The Australia camp have ramped-up the war of words ahead of the trans-Tasman battle with New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum on the end of public criticism from Steven Smith and David Warner.
Hadlee - who was the architect of the Kiwis’ only previous Test victory at the Gabba in 1985, starring with a 15 wicket haul - admitted he has enjoyed reading the headlines created by the verbal battle.
"It stirs things up. It's good for the media and creates a few headlines," said Hadlee.
"Whether it has an effect on other people, from a personal point of view I can't answer that on behalf of Brendon or any other player.”
England are returning to the scene of their Ashes triumph in 2016 for Royal London One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Don't miss the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge and secure your seats now.