Sydney: Australian cricketer Steve Smith claimed he would miss the familiar crowd barracking as Australia departed for a behind-closed-doors series against England. He said, “He’ll miss being jeered and heckled by English crowds during their upcoming limited-overs tour, admitting the booing motivates him to do better.”
In normal times any Australian side touring England has to face the jeering fans but this year it is a very different story due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stadiums will be shut to spectators. Australia and England will compete in three T20I matches and same number of ODIs in front officials, venue staff and media.
Smith knows it will feel different to usual matches between the great rivals and he is trying to not let that factor dampen his enthusiasm. He said, “I do like batting there, unfortunately, there’s going to be no crowd there to egg me on and give me a bit more motivation. Still, there’s going to be plenty of eyes on the TV and it is being jeered and heckled by English crowds during their upcoming limited-overs tour, admitting the booing motivates him to do better.”
With both venues having hotels attached the players will remain in bio-secure bubbles. “I’m looking forward to getting back into it, obviously it’s going to be a bit different than what we’re used to being in a bubble and playing with no crowds,” Smith said. “That presents a challenge in itself, but one we’re looking forward to. 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,” Smith added.
