Nathan Lyon, Matt Prior in war of words ahead of Ashes

Ahead of the Ashes Test, a war of words has begun between Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon and former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Lyon, one of three survivors from the series Ashes series of 2013 targeted Prior saying the right-hand batsman was so scared to face Australian fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson that he wanted to go home. 'He was one of the senior players. He was scared," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Lyon, as saying.

Nathan Lyon. Pic/AFP

Johnson claimed 37 Test wickets in that series, bowling at speeds of 150 kmh and above. "Could we end some careers? I hope so,' Lyon quipped about this year's Ashes. Prior, 32, took to Twitter to warn him that this time Lyon's own career might end.

"Last time someone spouted a whole load of BS about me I stayed quiet, not this time," Prior wrote. "To be clear, I may have been playing badly fair enough but there was no way I was getting on a plane home. You've embarrassed yourself (Nathan Lyon) and this game has a funny way of biting back,' he wrote.

Another of his tweet read, 'I sincerely hope you¿re not part of a losing @CricketAus team on home soil @NathLyon421. I still remember being sat on the outfield at the SCG after winning 3-1 while your press&fans were tearing into the Oz players. You want to end careers? Just make sure its not yours that ends.'

The first match of the Ashes series starts on November 23 in Brisbane, Australia.