'This is also a time when most of them make all sorts of excuses and start looking around to point the finger at everyone else - it is a classic English trait from my experience.'

The Daily Telegraph said the document warns the current Australian side not to be too friendly with the England team, as they did in 2005 when England won the biennial series 2-1.

'They (English cricketers) like being friendly and 'matey' because it makes them feel comfortable,' Langer says.

'In essence this is maybe the key to the whole English psyche - they love being comfortable. Take them out of their comfort zone and they don't like it for one second.'

Langer is also quoted as advising Aussie cricketers to sledge England wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

'I would chip away at him about his wicketkeeping. I would be reminding him about how it could see him out of the team. I would definitely work his ego.'

Langer's plan for batsman Ravi Bopara, the paper said, was silence: 'He is sure to wind the boys up by his strutting around, but I would leave him alone.'