Australia's David Warner and Steve Smith were both jeered on Saturday in their first match against England following a year-long ban for ball-tampering in what could be a sign of things to come during the World Cup and Ashes.
There were scattered boos when opening batsman Warner walked out to bat in a World Cup warm-up match against tournament host England at Southampton after Australia lost the toss.
And when the left-hander arrived at he crease, one fan shouted: “Get off Warner you cheat.”
Warner's dismissal for 43, well caught in the deep by Jonny Bairstow after he skied Liam Plunkett legside, was greeted by immediate cheers from England fans.
But there were more boos as he walked off to be replaced by Smith, coming in with Australia 82 for two in the 17th over.
'Cheat'
The BBC reported there were a few chants of “cheat, cheat,cheat”, although a lone Australia fan shouted “Get 'em Stevie!”.
Both Warner and former Australia captain Steve Smith only returned to international duty earlier this month after completing 12-month suspensions for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa .
Their first match in England this tour was a hastily arranged, unofficial warm-up match against the West Indies on the nursery ground at Southampton.
But that fixture was played in front of fewer than 30 spectators whereas there were several thousand in the main arena on Saturday.
Follow LIVE : ENG vs AUS warm-up match
Reigning world champions Australia are set to be in England for more than four months in a tour featuring both the World Cup and a five-Test Ashes series.
READ | World Cup 2019: Warner and Smith are ready to face fire in England, says Langer
A report in Thursday's edition of Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper said Warner's manager had sought security assurances from Cricket Australia, with the batsman's wife wanting to give birth to their third child in Britain.
Finch, speaking at this week's World Cup captains' press conference, said: “Once the World Cup gets under way and you start getting into the tournament, probably the game against England, and then further on the Ashes there's no doubt the crowd will start to play a bit of a part but that's expected.
“No matter where you go the fans play a big part.”
Meanwhile there was a worrying moment for England on Saturday when fast bowler Mark Wood left the field injured.
Wood, whose career has been blighted by ankle problems, managed just 3.1 overs on Saturday before experiencing what an England spokesman said was “some left discomfort”. The Durham quick was now set to be assessed by medical staff before a decision was taken on whether he would play any further part in the match.
Two balls after Wood went off, Jofra Archer -- on as a substitute -- injured himself fielding on the boundary and left the field in turn although he did come back on.
And when fast bowler Liam Plunkett was briefly back in the changing room, England assistant coach Paul Collingwood -- 43 on Sunday -- fielded for a few overs.
World Cup favourite England went into the match without captain Eoin Morgan after the batsman suffered a fracture to his left index finger during fielding practice on Friday. Morgan, however, is expected to be fit to lead England in the opening match of the World Cup proper, against South Africa at the Oval on Thursday.
England, fresh from a 4-0 series win over Pakistan, left out Test skipper Joe Root, leg-spinner Adil Rashid and fast bowler Jofra Archer from its side on Saturday.
READ | Full England World Cup 2019 squad
Root did not train on Friday following the death of his grandfather, Rashid has been managing a shoulder problem and Archer was rested.
World champion Australia opted to use 12 of its 15-man squad , with both Smith and Warner included. But all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc missed out.
"No problems being jeered"
“I'm pretty chilled, everyone's entitled to their opinion,” Smith told Sky Sports during the innings break when asked about the crowd's taunts.
“I'm just happy to be back playing. Fortunately, I was able to contribute today and hopefully I can take this form into the World Cup.”
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