Cricket World Cup: Australian Steve Smith & David Warner "should not be booed"

Australian coach Justin Langer has asked fans not to stall Steve Smith and David Warner at the World Cup.

The drummers recently returned from a one – year ban for their role in the balloon falsification scandal and were ridiculed during the preparation win against England in Southampton last week.

Australia, the reigning champion, begins its campaign against Afghanistan in Bristol at 1:30 pm BST Saturday.

"They made a mistake and paid a heavy price," said Langer.

"The media talk about winning respect and it's really important that people do it too."

Smith and Warner were hostile to the Hampshire Bowl. The two men were booed at the beginning of their inning and were fired, while former captain Smith was also booed after 50 years and then reached a beautiful century.

Groups of the crowd chanted "cheat" against both players and fans wore suits referring to sandpaper.

Smith and Warner, along with Cameron Bancroft, played a role in the use of sandpaper to tamper with the ball against South Africa in March 2018.

"After the Hampshire experience, we have a pretty good idea of ​​what to expect.We have talked a lot about it and we can put strategies in place," said Langer.

"That said, when that happens, it does not make things easier, it's human beings, it's the truth – and that's what I find most difficult.

"I'm a daddy and children often see it, it's felt personally and they will have to have thick skin.

"But I would be disappointed to see a player get booed on a cricket ground, no matter what country he is playing in. It's never a good look when it happens."

Australian captain Aaron Finch confirmed that Warner would play against Afghanistan after defeating a gluteal injury.

Finch and Warner will open together, with Australia choosing between Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja.

England crushed Afghanistan during its second warm-up Monday, but beat Pakistan during its first warm-up earlier this month.

"It's a dangerous side, if you release the gasoline for a moment, they'll hurt you and you'll always have to play your best to beat them," said Finch.

"Winner of their pre-season match against Pakistan, they played brilliantly, they are now a huge success, with worldwide support, which is huge for cricket."

"Sri Lanka will be hard"

New Zealand, who was beaten by Australia in the 2015 finals, begins her candidacy for the World Cup against Sri Lanka in Cardiff at 10:30 BST Saturday.

The Black Caps have won seven of their last eight international games against Sri Lanka, including a 3-0 home victory in January.

However, Kiwi captain Kane Williamson said, "I do not know how much the past really counts when we enter a tournament.

"We know Sri Lanka is a little different from the one we played at home, but we do not doubt it's difficult."

After a bad period in the last two years, Sri Lanka lost several established players for the World Cup and appointed Dimuth Karunaratne as captain after a four-year absence from the ODI side.

They should be fighting in the tournament and have been beaten comfortably by Australia and South Africa in their two warm-up matches, but Karunaratne said his team of "new faces" was determined to participate .

"We are trying to start again with this World Cup but we will be very well prepared," he said.

"It's not easy if you do not know the players and they have not played for a long time." Even I, I've been in the team for four years, so what it's not easy.

"But if you have the opportunity, you have to prove yourself, the new faces want to do well and they want to perform, stay in the team – it's a positive thing.

"Recently, we could not do better, but now we play as a team."