Handshakes to start one-day series

Australia and England will shake hands before their oneday clash at the Oval today in a bid to heal wounds from March’s ball-tampering scandal.

Touring captain Tim Paine has asked England counterpart Eoin Morgan if both sets of players can indulge in the football-style ritual, as part of the visitors’ charm offensive.

Morgan has agreed to the request, but the practice will only happen for today’s opening encounter of the five-match series.

“They don’t have to do it but it’s something we want to bring in at the start of a series, not before every game,” said Paine, of the handshake idea.

Captain Steve Smith and deputy David Warner were banned for a year over the balltampering incident in March’s third Test against South Africa that shamed Australian cricket.

Cameron Bancroft,who doctored a ball with sandpaper amid South Africa’s 322-run win in Cape Town, was also banned for nine months, with head coach Darren Lehmann also paying with his job.

“I’m absolutely happy with that, it doesn’t bother me,” said Morgan of the handshakes.

“They are trying to turn around the image of the game in their country, and we’re all for that.”