Australia all-rounder Shane Watson says he cannot remember a brief spat with a teenage Mark Wood while in the nets, but warned the England bowler should expect the toughest challenge of his fledgling Test career in the Ashes.

Durham seamer Wood is expected to feature against Australia this summer, having taken nine wickets in the two-Test series against New Zealand following his debut at Lord's.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Wood recalled to close friend Steve Harmison how during the 2009 Ashes tour he was once told to test Watson with another bouncer by his Australia team-mate Mike Hussey as they practiced in the Durham nets.

Wood says Watson "absolutely smoked it" after he "bumped him again", before throwing the ball back down the wicket and calling the youngster a 'net hero'.

The Englishman hoped to remind Watson of that encounter this summer when "he's going to get a few more bumpers".

However, Watson suggested he has other things on his radar as he prepares for the start of the warm-up match against Essex at Chelmsford, where the 34-year-old will be out to stake a claim for an all-rounder berth in the Ashes Test side at Cardiff on July 8.

"Up until this (Monday) morning, I actually couldn't remember that at all. That was quite a while ago, 2009, and in between I have had quite a few net sessions, so it is not something that really stands out that much unfortunately," said Watson.

"Travelling around, at times we face some high quality net bowlers, and at times we get bouncers as well to see how we play it."

Watson added: "I have seen what Wood has been able to do and how he bowls. Obviously he is going to pepper me, but first I need to score runs in this next tour match to be able to get the chance for him to have a go at me."

Wood was had yet to play a first-class match when Australia came to England for the 2009 Ashes series.

The 25-year-old hopes being something of an unknown quantity could cause the tourists a bit of a surprise this summer.

Watson added: "All I take from it is that he is happy to bowl a bouncer, which as a fast bowler you should be doing.

"An easy way to be able to expose any batsmen is by bowling a short ball. I have certainly bowled my fair share in my time as well.

"He obviously seems like he has got a lot of confidence, is very sure about himself by coming out and talking about this sort of stuff. That is a great thing and it means he is going to be up for the challenge.

"He hasn't been in an Ashes series before so he will be tested, as we all are."