Aussies sneak into England

AUSTRALIA arrived in England for its World Cup defence in style with the team escorted through a special exit at Heathrow Airport.

Players including Steve Smith and David Warner were driven out the back door of the busy airport in a security measure made mandatory by the ICC for all countries competing in its showpiece event. But while Smith and Warner received warm receptions at last week’s three practice matches in Brisbane, the English tabloids have already turned on the blowtorch.

The Sun’s chief sports writer Dave Kidd wrote yesterday that the World Cup would be followed by “a home Ashes against a band of cheating Aussies preparing for the sledging of their lives”.

That line was worked into a column on England’s ODI win against Pakistan. The secret airport exit is usually reserved for VIPs visiting London and it helped ensure Smith, Warner and the rest of the squad were spared prying eyes.