Shane Warne has continued his feud with Paul Collingwood, slating the all-rounder's captaincy of England in the ICC World T20.

Collingwood sledged Warne during the 2006/07 Ashes series in Australia, with the Australia legend then criticising the 33-year-old's leadership skills during the recent Twenty20 tournament in England.

Andrew Strauss will resume skipper's duties from Collingwood for this summer's Ashes series after sitting out the Twenty20 but, with the first Test due to get under way in Cardiff on July 8, Warne has stoked up the fires again by having another dig.

Asked by Radio Five Live's Sportsweek whether Australia would be more fearful of a Kevin Pietersen-led England, Warne replied: "I think they'll be wishing Paul Collingwood was captain because I don't think he was very good at all.

"I think England will be looking forward to having Andrew Strauss back at the helm. I was pretty disappointed, I think everyone was, with Collingwood's captaincy in the England side during the Twenty20.

"There was no imagination, no flair... I think he was too busy trying to drive his Aston Martin and fly around in helicopters (rather) than trying to work on his captaincy."

"England can't win without Pietersen"

Warne reckons Pietersen, his former Hampshire colleague who quit as England skipper in January, will not be worrying too much about not being captain for the Ashes series.

"England can't win if they don't have Kevin Pietersen in their side," said the spin king. "They need him fit, they need him raring to go and hungry for success. I don't think it matters to Kevin whether he's captain or not.

"He'll be out there trying to prove a point, trying to stamp his authority early on in the series and trying to promote himself up to be the best batsman in the world. He's got the ability to do that."

Warne is backing Australia to retain the urn this summer but would not be shocked if the hosts prevail.

"It's an interesting one," he said.

"Obviously England played well here in 2005, but the forgotten series that everyone seems to forget about... there was one in between this one coming up and the 2005 one. Australia did win 5-0 and probably embarrassed England so England will be looking for some revenge. I think Australia will win the series but I won't be surprised if England win.

"I think England are capable of winning but my money is on Australia."