GIVE THEM HELL!
Warne: English crowds must get stuck into the Aussie ball-tamperers
Shane WaRne has said he will be disappointed if crowds in england this summer don’t get stuck into Steve Smith and David Warner after they return from their ball-tampering bans.
The australian duo will be available again for international selection at the end of this month, and Warne — who endured a love-hate relationship with english fans during four ashes tours — expects spectators to remind them of their part in the plot to rub sandpaper on the ball at Cape Town last year.
That led to year-long suspensions for both, plus a nine-month ban for opening batsman Cameron Bancroft, who tried to hide the sandpaper down his trousers.
‘I’d be disappointed if they didn’t give it to them,’ said Warne. ‘They’re going to absolutely give it to them, and the players are aware of that.
‘even if they hadn’t been out for a year, they were still going to get nailed by the crowd — the same way the aussies give it to england when they go to australia. It’s a bit more constant with the singing over here. They’ll be OK, they’re completely expecting it.’
Smith and Warner will begin their trial-by-spectator with a warm-up game against england at the ageas Bowl on May 25, before taking on eoin Morgan’s team in the World Cup proper at Lord’s on June 25, then embarking on the five-Test ashes at edgbaston on august 1.
If last summer is anything to go by, the australians will have to develop a thick skin. When their one- day side arrived at the Oval in a series they lost 5-0, they were greeted by fans waving pieces of sandpaper. With Warner already persona non
grata in england after throwing a punch at Joe Root during the 2013 Champions Trophy, it could get lively.
‘It’s probably a good thing they’re getting a game out of england before the World Cup,’ said Warne.
It is a tournament for which Warne — a two-times World Cup winner — makes england and India jointfavourites, with australia not far behind, especially after their recent come-from-behind 3-2 win in India.
‘england have so many matchwinners,’ he said. ‘I love the style of cricket they play. They’re well led by eoin Morgan. The message he sends the team is just to go out and play.
‘If you get bowled out cheaply, that’s OK: the other eight or nine games, we’re going to make a huge score. So I love the confidence. I love the consistency that Morgan has, no matter if they play well or don’t play well, it’s always the same message. no one gets criticised. This is the best chance england have that I’ve seen in recent times.
‘India have Virat Kohli in their side, a guy who’s made 41 one-day hundreds, 25 of them chasing. So they have to be in with a chance. Their bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, is very, very good.’
Warne has also backed Stuart Broad to enjoy an influential ashes in a series he believes will be closely fought — despite australia not winning a series in england since 2001.
‘Both bowling sides will be pretty good,’ he said. ‘Both batting sides rely on a few, and england need to sort their top order out. But I think the ashes will bring out the best in Stuart Broad, that’s for sure.’