David Warner's brutal sledge for England amid World Cup support for Matildas

Australian cricket star David Warner will be cheering on the Matildas in their showdown with the England in the Women's World Cup semi-final, and the opener has taken a cheeky swipe at his rivals in the process. Warner is back from the tour of England after Australia retained the Ashes in a fiery 2-2 series draw with the host nation.

The series erupted due to a number of divisive moments and on the final day of the series, Australia became frustrated when a controversial umpire decision saw England turn the tide. The hosts were handed a replacement ball, which saw Australia lose three quick wickets when it swung and seamed considerably more than it's predecessor.

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Australia eventually lost by 49 runs, missing out on the chance to win their first Ashes series in England since 2001. The backlash was swift and it appears Warner wanted to remind England of the controversy.

The Aussie cricket team have been cheering on the Matildas and Warner got in on the action as he wished them the best against the old enemy. And he couldn't help but take a cheeky crack at the English while doing so.

"An early good luck to the Matildas. Just keep an eye out in case the Poms ask to change the ball," he wrote, referencing the drama. To inflame the matter, Warner tagged England's cricket support group The Barmy Army.

Aussie fans saw the humour in the opener's light-hearted dig. However, many English fans fired up at the comment with England once again going another series without reclaiming the Ashes. Regardless, Warner joins the huge number of Australian sporting stars willing the Matildas on throughout their historic charge to glory.

Ange Postecoglou cheers on Matildas ahead of England clash

Over in England, former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou became the first Australian to ever coach a Premier League team when Tottenham drew 2-2 with Brentford on the weekend. And in the wake of his historic moment, Postecoglou took time to praise the history taking place back at home.

"Talking to people back home, the whole nation's got right behind the Matildas and rightly so, they've been outstanding," Melbourne-raised Postecoglou told Optus Sport."A semi-final against the English ... I'm glad I'm here (in London).

"I'll be able to rub it in a few noses if the girls get up, which I'm sure they will." And the Matildas have also inspired other Aussie favourites during their march to the semi-final.

NBA star Patty Mills also spoke about the Matildas before their Wednesday FIBA World Cup warm-up match and praised the influence the team are having on the country. "The way the ladies play with so much heart and passion has been so inspiring to witness," Mills said.

"Just like the rest of the country, our Boomers team have been locked in for each game, watching it as a team and enjoying every part of supporting and celebrating these incredible athletes. Supporting our fellow Australian athletes is crucial, so moving our game was an easy decision."

While many are building up the clash against England as an epic rivalry between the old enemies, Aussie goalkeeper Lydia Williams was quick to play down the animosity shared between the teams. "Obviously you see it in the men's competitions, especially in cricket and rugby," goalkeeper Lydia Williams told reporters. "But for us, we've had so many rivalries with other countries that we've played against. We've played against Brazil at every other World Cup.

"So you could say that (about Brazil), you could say that about America, you could say that about so many countries. So really, for us it's just another game. All the like extra stuff of rivalries, it doesn't really come about. If anything, it's to prove a point that we can make the final and represent Australia that way."

When do the Matildas play England in World Cup semi-final?

The Matildas - having made history by winning through to a World Cup semi-final for the first time ever - now turn their attention to trying to topple European champions, England. The Aussies will battle their old enemy on Wednesday night at 8pm in front of a sold-out Stadium Australia in Sydney for a place in the final.

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