England captain Morgan won’t stop fans booing Australia cheats Warner and Smith in Cricket World Cup showdown
EOIN MORGAN claims England fans have every right to boo David Warner and Steve Smith.
And he reckons it will take a long time for the Aussies to be forgiven after the sandpaper scandal.
Captain Morgan said: “They committed something and have served their penalty. It doesn’t necessarily mean they are welcomed back with open arms into the cricket community.”
Morgan has no intention of repeating the gesture of India’s skipper Virat Kohli, who encouraged his fans not to heckle Smith as he was fielding earlier in the World Cup.
Morgan said: “When I heard what Kohli did, I thought about it for quite a while and wondered if it was right, but it didn’t sit right with me.
“Sport is beautiful in many ways but cricket is the most romantic sport of all.
“Regaining trust takes a lot of time. Who knows how long it will take?
“I don’t think I could do anything, or should do anything, to try to influence the fans to change their mind. They are entitled to have their own view.”
ABUSE BANNED
England played Australia in a World Cup warm-up last month but today’s match at Lord’s is the first full international between cricket’s most enduring rivals since Warner and Smith returned from their 12-month bans.
Warner is the second-highest run scorer in the tournament with 447 and Smith scored a century in the warm-up — despite receiving plenty of boos.
So they have responded to the flak with runs.
As usual at Lord’s, fancy dress is not permitted so there will be no human sandpaper blocks or cricket balls.
Personal abuse is not tolerated although stewards will be briefed to distinguish between abuse and banter.
Jonny Bairstow was the target of deeply personal sledging from Warner during the 2017-18 Ashes but they patched up while playing together for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.
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Aussie skipper Aaron Finch added: “I’m sure it will be the last thing on Steve or Davey’s minds when they walk out to bat.
“If a handful of people or the whole stadium is booing, it won’t make any difference.
“It hasn’t affected our boys one bit. If anything, it has given them more motivation.”
