Aussies ready for England ‘siege’

Australia coach Justin Langer said his team won’t be rattled by a hostile reception at the World Cup as England’s Barmy Army gave it a taste of what to expect.

The defending champion is on a hot run of One-Day form and has been boosted by the return of Steve Smith and David Warner after their one-year bans for ball-tampering. But a trip to England is never easy, and the visit for the WC -- followed by an Ashes Test series -- is shaping up to be even more challenging than usual after the cheating row.

England’s fiery Barmy Army supporters got the ball rolling on Twitter on Thursday with a brutal pot shot. In a taste of what to expect from British crowds, they doctored an image of Warner’s official WC player portrait, replacing ‘Australia’ on the front of his shirt with ‘Cheats’.

They also photo-shopped Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon holding sandpaper. Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all banned over the scandal last year in Cape Town, which involved sandpaper to alter the ball. “We’re ready for it,” said Langer. “If we’re under siege the second we get off the plane, we’re ready for it. The WC might be a bit different to start off, but certainly once the Ashes kicks off, there will be plenty of commentary.”Warner returned to the Australian team this week after prolific form at the Indian Premier League, while Smith has been in good nick against New Zealand XI. Langer said Warner ‘has got this look in his eye at the moment’ and praised Smith’s innings on Wednesday as a ‘tutorial in batting’. “It’s great for the team,” he added.

“I can honestly say I don’t think we could be in a better position. It’s a bit like facing fast bowling, you worry, worry, worry and once you get out in the middle, it’s ok. The worst time to face fast bowling is in bed the night before. There’s been a huge lead-up to this (Smith and Warner’s return) and the boys have come in so far quite seamlessly.”