In what has become very much a one-sided war of words, Shane Warne has continued his Blitzkrieg on the England preparations for the first Ashes Test, beginning at The Gabba in a week's time.

This time, he has again cast doubt on the England captaincy, touting Nottinghamshire’s Graeme Swann or Kevin Pietersen as a more fitting leader than Alastair Cook.

“I honestly believe that Cook has to improve tactically if England are to become the No 1 team in the world again, and I do not think too many people would disagree with me,” said Warne.

“If I had to choose a captain out of the England side it would be Kevin Pietersen or Graeme Swann. That may sound like an unbelievable thing to say after all the controversy of last year but I think KP has the best cricket brain in the team.

“I am also speaking from the experience of playing under some great captains — and some who were not so great. If you look at the leaders Australia had when we did well and when we struggled, it generally reflected the standard of the captains."

In moving to highlight Pietersen and Swann, two of the more outspoken members of England’s dressing room, Warne further emphasised the apparent difference in character between the pair and Cook, who is often portrayed as far more conservative.

Pietersen and Swann are two popular Twitter users, voicing their opinions, and in the case of Swann, witticisms, through social media, whereas Cook’s involvement is far smaller. Of course, how this is translated in the dressing room, is largely unknown.

 “Graeme Swann is good too, as we have seen from his Twenty20 captaincy of England,” he said.

“They are both imaginative, good readers of the game and take the aggressive option first, whereas Cook retreats too quickly. He goes very defensive when he should be stamping his authority on the match.”

“I played for 15 years in one of the best teams of all time, winning in all conditions against all opposition. We had some great players, sure, but we also needed a good captain with imagination.

“You cannot just let the game drift and come to you. You may win more than you lose that way because you have quality bowlers but to be the best over a long period of time, you have to have a proactive leader. ”

Cook’s conservatism has been a bone of contention for Warne since his appointment as Test captain although his comments are often taken as tongue in cheek given his mischieveous brand of patriotism.

He has also had his issues with Clarke’s leadership, despite recently backing him publicly. Warne also raised the question of whether Cook could lead England to the top of the ICC Test rankings.

“If England want to be ranked second or third, winning more series than they lose, then fine, but it will not be enough to make them the best team of their generation which is the ambition we hear from the England players,” said Warne.

“If you put Mark Taylor, Michael Clarke or Stephen Fleming in charge of that team you would see a completely different style of play; aggression combined with imaginative fields that would produce very entertaining cricket which is great to watch.

“It would also be the style of cricket that would possibly take England to number one in the world.”