‘Class pair back’

DAVID WARNER and Steve Smith can silence the boo-boys and heap fresh pain on England this summer.

That’s the warning from Ashes new boy Travis Head, who will be lining up alongside Australia’s former captain and vice-captain when the action gets underway at Edgbaston next week.

Smith and Warner are yet to play a Test match after serving their one-year ball-tampering ban, despite both starring for the Aussies in the World Cup.

Both received a lively reception when they took to the field against England in the group stages and semi-final. And that is likely to be repeated in the white heat of an Ashes series.

Batsman Head (above), though, believes that both disgraced stars will take whatever is thrown at them – and use it as motivation to retain the Ashes.

“They’re both very experienced players,” said Head, who has an average of over 50 from his first eight Tests. “I know before what happened that they’re extremely professional as cricketers. I’m looking forward to playing with them again.

“As a youngster, playing without them for a summer felt a little bit different because they’ve always been around when I’ve been with Australia.

“To have them back is going to be fantastic. They’ve performed really well since t they’ve come back, but that’s no su surprise because they’re both class p players. I think they’ve handled everything pretty well. It’s up to the individual to decide how they react to the crowd, but t they will perform regardless. “Both bowling attacks are outstanding. I think the stats say that Mitchell Starc is the best bowler in the world. Starcy is bowling fast, he’s aggressive and he swings the ball, which is what you want from him.

“He’s nice to have in your team – but he’s not nice to face in the nets. In fact, none of them are. We’ve got six or seven big quicks who are all firing and that’s what you want.”