Batting bubble saves Smith from hecklers
NEXT month’s tour of South Africa holds no fears for Steve Smith, with the former Australian captain confident that returning to the scene of the sandpaper crime won’t trigger a traumatic experience.
The Aussies are bracing for another media circus when the white-ball squad visits South Africa for the first time since the scandal that rocked world cricket in 2018.
Scrutiny will hit fever pitch when Smith and David Warner play at Cape Town in a Twenty20 on February 26.
But Smith referenced his amazing Ashes series as evidence that he could thrive in the furnace.
“People thought England would be a challenge for me,” Smith said.
“There was plenty going on there with boos and stuff, but I honestly just block it out. I don’t really hear it.
“People can say or do whatever they like, if that’s what they want to do that’s fine.
“It doesn’t bother me. I’m set in what I’m trying to do and stuck in my bubble and I black out all the noise and whatever is going on around me – whether it be good or bad.
“Just get rid of it and concentrate on what I need to do.”
India captain Virat Kohli last week received the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award for telling his fans to clap Smith – instead of booing him – during a World Cup match in London early in Smith’s return.
“Good on him (Kohli). It was a nice gesture at The Oval,” Smith said.
South African great Dale Steyn said that Smith and Warner should avoid any unsavoury treatment because his country’s fans appreciate fine players.
“They might get a little bit of stick, a little bit of banter – but nothing over the top,” Steyn said.
“You might get the odd dickhead here and there, but that’s what you get anywhere in the world.”
But the Test series two years ago was already simmering with spite before it exploded in Cape Town.
Kagiso Rabada had a onematch suspension for shoulder charging Smith overturned, Nathan Lyon was fined for dropping the ball on AB de Villiers after running him out, while Warner had to be restrained by teammates when he and Quinton de Kock clashed in a stairwell.
Smith was unsure whether the sight of the Cape Town dressing room, pitch, team hotel and general surrounds would bring memories of the lowest point of his life flooding back.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but I’m sure it’ll all be fine,” he said.
“I don’t really have any stress about it at the moment.” ■ AUSTRALIA’S cricketers have thanked the caring Indian supporters who held up placards showing their support for a country that has been ravaged by devastating bushfires.
Players fielding in the deep in Rajkot on Friday acknowledged the fans, who sat in the stands holding up signs saying: “Pray for Australia”.
“It was really nice of the crowd. I saw a few signs acknowledging that,” Pat Cummins said.
It doesn’t bother me. I’m set in what I’m trying to do and stuck in my bubble and
I black out all the noise.
STEVE SMITH