In the first warm-up match of the ICC World Cup 2019, Australia played against team England. After choosing to bat first, Australian batsmen David Warner and Aaron Finch, stepped out to open the batting. Playing for his national team after a one-year ban, Warner was greeted with boos and shouts of cheater by the crowd. This didn’t dissuade him from playing his natural game and he scored 43 before getting out.

Former Australian skipper Steve Smith was the next in line to face shouts and calls of cheater, which continued after he scored his century as well. He did not let these affect him, and scored 116 from 102 balls, playing a crucial role in his team’s victory. In conversation with the reporters, Smith speaking about the crowd jeering, said: “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion and how they want to treat people. It’s water off a duck’s back and it doesn’t bother me. I try to black it out. They call it ‘white noise’. When I’m out in the middle I don’t pay attention to the crowd or what they’re saying.”

Smith went on to talk about being back with his team: “It’s like we never left in a way. I know I’ve got the support of my team-mates up on the balcony and for me, that’s the most important thing. If I can make them proud out in the middle and make Australians proud as much as I can then that’s my job.”

In-form English batsman Jos Buttler praised the former Australian captain saying: “He’s the same player. He was a class player 12 months ago and he still is. He hasn’t forgotten. He’s one of the world’s best batsmen.”