England still wary of Australia, says Onions

With the booing directed at visiting captain Ricky Ponting throughout the series becoming a key issue, Onions insisted that the England players remain wary of their opponents as they bid to wrap up a series victory with a Test to spare.

"Personally, I've got a lot of respect for Ricky Ponting and all the Australian players in that changing room," Onions said.

"He's a world-class performer and as players you've got to remember that whatever happens within the white lines stays on the field. What the supporters do is up to them.

"Whenever we go out there we go out to battle and whether the support is positive or negative we go out to win."

The mood of the series began to turn a little more feisty at Edgbaston last week, with the sledging in the middle noticeably increasing, but Onions insisted the banter both on the pitch and in the stands is all just part of the game.

"It just shows how much it actually means to both sides," he said. "We desperately want to win and Australia want to keep the Ashes. It's a great spectacle.

"You might get a bit of stick from the crowd but as players you've just got to put up with it. I'm not one of the boo boys, I'm just trying to win a Test match for England.

"There is a line and I think respect is the key word."

With a 1-0 lead in the series and only two Test remaining, England could win the Ashes back with victory at Headingley.

"It's a very exciting prospect for the Headingley crowd and as players, we're trying to win every game and it's exciting," Onions added.

"I think we'll pick the team best suited to the ground and the wicket. Of course we're trying to win and with two Tests left and being 1-0 up in the series we're all really looking forward to it."