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Australia on charm offensive

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AFP Johannesburg
Last Updated : Feb 20 2020 | 9:16 PM IST

Australia have been on a charm offensive ahead of Friday's first Twenty20 international against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium, a ground renowned for being among the most intimidating in the world.

The match will be Australia's first in South Africa since the infamous "Sandpaper-gate" tour of 2018 and will mark the return in front of South African crowds of former captain Steve Smith and opening batsman David Warner, both banned for a year for their role in the scandal.

The Wanderers 'bullring' is likely to be packed to its capacity of just under 30 000. It is a noisy venue and especially so when Australia are the opposition. But all opposition teams are regarded as fair game.

As recently as last month, England's Ben Stokes was provoked into swearing at a rowdy spectator after he was dismissed during the fourth Test against South Africa.

In the lead up to the match, the Australians have been at pains to say how much they enjoy playing in South Africa, while Smith tweeted that a visit to a Soweto school for children with special needs was a "humbling experience".

Smith told journalists that he expected to be targeted by the crowd.

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"They are hostile at the best of times here," he said.

Noisy spectators didn't bother him when he was batting and he said he was looking forward to hearing the crowd when he was fielding.

"Then again it's just words, it doesn't affect me," he said.

"I think I will be doing some outfielding so I'm looking forward to it. I will smile and laugh and play along and have fun."

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First Published: Feb 20 2020 | 9:16 PM IST

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