Steve Smith ignored the jeers of the crowd to mark his first match against England since a ball-tampering ban with a century that set up Australia’s 12-run win in a World Cup warm-up clash at Southampton on Saturday.
Smith’s 116 was the centerpiece of reigning world champions Australia’s 297 for nine.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. A target of 298 proved just beyond England, without four first-choice players including captain Eoin Morgan and fellow batsman Joe Root, as the World Cup hosts and favourites were dismissed for 285 with three balls left.
“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.”
Warner was booed first by spectators on Saturday when he walked out to open the innings with captain Aaron Finch after Australia lost the toss.
England’s reply saw James Vince, on his Hampshire home ground, make 64 and stand-in captain Jos Buttler a blistering 52. But both batsmen got out when well set.
Scores in brief
Australia: 297 for 9 in 50 overs (Warner 43, Marsh 30, Smith 116, Khawaja 31, Carey 30; Plunkett 4-69)
England: 285 all out in 49.3 overs (Vince 64, Buttler 52, Woakes 40, Roy 32; Behrendorff 2-43, Richardson 2-51)
Result: Australia won by 12 runs.
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