England's Cumbrian all-rounder Ben Stokes is using David Warner to sell his new book, according to Australia captain Tim Paine.

In his book, which is being serialised, 28-year-old Stokes claims Warner’s sledging motivated him in his match-winning innings in the third Ashes Test at Headingley in the summer.

But Paine has suggested former Cockermouth School student Stokes’ comments were driven simply to increase sales of his book.

Speaking ahead of Australia’s Test series with Pakistan, 34-year-old Paine told reporters: “It just seems to be a common trend in England that they like to use Davey’s name to spike book sales.

"I was, obviously, standing next to David the whole time and you are allowed to talk on the cricket field.

"But by no means was he abusing him or sledging him.”

Asked whether it was a cheap shot by Stokes, Paine added: “Absolutely.”

Former Cockermouth Cricket Club man Stokes, who was dropped at slip by Warner, scored an unbeaten 135 as England completed a record run-chase of 359 to record one of their greatest victories in August.

“He just wouldn’t shut up for most of my time out there,” Stokes says of Warner, in his new book, ‘On Fire’.

“A few of the Aussies were being quite chirpy but, in particular, David Warner seemed to have his heart set on disrupting me.

"I could accept it from just about any other opponent. Truly. Not from him, though.”

Victory at Headlingley brought England level at 1-1 in the series, but Australia won the fourth Test to retain the Ashes before England won the final Test to draw the series 2-2.

England will begin their two-Test series in New Zealand at the Bay Oval on Wednesday evening (10pm start).

It comes after England beat the Kiwis in another super over to win a thrilling final Twenty20 and take the five-match series 3-2, having also got the better of New Zealand in a super over in July’s World Cup final.