Australia captain Tim Paine expects hostile England crowds in wake of ball-tampering scandal

Ready to take the heat: Tim Paine
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Tom Collomosse10 May 2018

Australia captain Tim Paine expects English crowds this summer to be doubly hostile towards his team following the ball-tampering scandal.

Paine will lead the Aussies in the six-match 50-over series against England next month after former skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner were banned for a year by Cricket Australia, following a plan to alter the condition of the ball during the Test series in South Africa in March.

Touring teams have always received a spicy reception in clashes between England and Australia and Paine admitted: “It is certainly going to be raised. The English are going to be basking in the glory of what’s happened. Guys are certainly going to have to be ready for that.

“If we can play well as a team and show we’re moving forward then, hopefully, the talk around that stuff will die off. There are going to be times when it does get heated. We just have to make sure we are doing the right thing at all times.”

Paine took the reins after Smith and Warner were stripped of their roles in a move that also saw batsman Cameron Bancroft banned for nine months, while Darren Lehmann quit as coach, despite being cleared of any wrongdoing.

Opening batsman Aaron Finch will be Paine’s vice-captain in England.

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