London, Jan. 23 : England selector Geoff Miller has had a cheeky pop at the Aussies ahead of this summer's Ashes.

The former Test all-rounder uses his spare time being a funny man on the after-dinner circuit, where he has been giving Ricky Ponting and Co both barrels.

Speaking at a charity event this week, The Sun quoted him as joking: "I really hate the Aussies. Sometimes I get up an hour early, just so I can hate them some more."

Miller's promotion to the new national selector position at the start of last year saw eyebrows raised about a possible conflict of interests.

The former Derbyshire all-rounder controversially missed his first three Tests in the role to speak at pre-booked events.

But at the time, he said: "I'm in the entertainment business and the board were very good about it.

"I will be more frugal with the amount of dinners I do in future and the priority will be this job." (ANI)