Ball tampering scandal will not keep Australians silent

Australia have vowed to keep on sledging as they launch their first series since March’s ball-tampering scandal.

New captain Tim Paine pledged Australia “won’t be silent” in the five-match One Day International series with England.

Head coach Justin Langer insisted “sledging’s a good thing” – but promised he will not tolerate banter straying into abuse.

“The thing we’ve spoken about is the difference between abuse and banter,” said new skipper Paine.

“We won’t be silent. We’re going to be speaking, trying to put pressure on teams as we usually do. But we have to be respectful.

“I’m sure you’re going to hear us talking through the stump mic.

“But it’s up to me, Justin and the senior players to stay on the side of banter and never go to abuse.

“There’s no doubt our reputation took a bit of a battering. That was difficult for the players to come to terms with.

“Coming to England now with new faces, a new coach, just getting back into cricket is an opportunity for us to move on and show we’ve made a few changes.”

Captain Steve Smith and deputy skipper David Warner were banned for a year over the ball-tampering incident in the third Test against South Africa that shamed Australian cricket.

Cameron Bancroft was also banned for nine months by Cricket Australia.