Former Australia batsman Tom Moody has insisted that the Baggy Green will target England captain Alastair Cook during the summer's Ashes series.

Moody said that Australia will recognise Cook as England's best player and will try extra hard to get his wicket early to give them a boost early in the Test series.

"Australia will target Cook," Moody told talkSPORT. "There's no doubt that they will see him as a key player, at the top of the order.

"He's England's best batsman and has been in extraordinary form over recent times. He's clearly respected by his team as a leader and as a player. As an opener it's an early in road into a strong England batting lineup.

"They'll do everything they can to make life difficult for Alastair Cook so they can break open England's top order."

The first Test begins at Trent Bridge on July 10.