I’ll miss the boo boys, says Smith

Steve Smith will miss the boos and jeers from the spectators during next month's limited-overs series in England which will be played behind closed doors, the Australia run-machine said on Sunday before leaving for the tour.

The former Australia captain was jeered by the crowd in last year's Ashes series for the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that unfolded in South Africa on his watch.

"I do like batting there. But unfortunately there's no crowd there to egg me on and give me a bit more motivation. Still, there is going to be plenty of eyes on the TV and it is going to be great to be back out there playing," Smith told reporters before departing for Australia's first international tour since the COVID-19 pandemic halted professional cricket.

The first Australian team to leave these shores since the pandemic began, the Australians – plus coaches and support staff – boarded a charter flight direct to the East Midlands. The squad will spend a few days in a hotel attached to Derby's cricket ground before a three-hour bus ride to Southampton's Rose Bowl and its associated hotel.

Beginning on Sept. 4, Australia will play three T20Is in Southampton before moving to another bio-secure venue in Manchester for an equal number of one-dayers.

Smith said the enforced break from cricket had left him mentally refreshed and "raring to go".

"I've watched a bit of the Tests England have played, and we know their white-ball cricket over the last few years has been exceptional, so it's going to be a good series."

"It'll be interesting to see how long the bubble(s) lasts for, how long we're going to have to be in that. We're lucky to be able to go and play, we'll just do what we need to and play it day by day, stick together as a bunch and help each other out. I'm sure there will be tough moments for all the guys being away from their families for long periods of time," Smith said.