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Australia live up to new values in Hove

Justin Langer's Australia joined in the banter with the locals in Hove as they took the first steps into a new era

The Australians came to the UK to rebuild a reputation, and left Hove having completed a small step towards that goal with 6,000 delighted Brits leaving happy despite the home side's 57-run defeat.

Justin Langer and Tim Paine have laid down some values and behaviours for the Australian cricket team before they entered a new era following the nadir of Cape Town's ball tampering. 

"We have our values and our expectations," Australia coach Justin Langer said on the eve of the tour-opening match against Sussex.

"We have to do it all the time, we have to live that. We're really clear on what our values are and what our behaviours and our expectations are. 

"I've said this for 25 years, we can put all the fancy mission states and values and posters up on the wall, but if you don't live them, they're like toilet paper. 

"The words are irrelevant, it's how they're lived that's going to be important."

Langer, Paine set out their expectations for Australia

Langer's Australia so far lived up to that, joining in the banter with the locals and rising a wry smile at the inevitable sandpaper-themed jokes that got more boisterous the later the day-night match went.

"If you like sandpaper, clap your hands. If you like sandpaper, clap your hands," came the call from the public bar at the northern end of the ground, on repeat long into the night. 

"The banter was pretty good, you could hear them singing," Australia allrounder Marcus Stoinis said after a match in which his century proved match-winning. 

"It's all in good spirits, and the boys on the boundary said it was good too. 

"It's only what you'd expect."

The Australians can expect more of it. Much more of it as the ODI series at the larger international venues begins from next Wednesday at The Oval. 

Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie, the current Sussex coach, said he was impressed with the Australians and their approach to the game. 

"I’ve spoken with Justin at length, and the Aussie lads, they’re great lads," Gillespie said after his side ran Australia close in the run chase before falling away late. 

"I think they’ll play the game with a lot of pride, a lot of passion. 

"When players go out and whether they’re representing their club, county or country, if you go out there and show that pride and passion and commitment, that’s what rubs off on people in a positive way. 

"That’s what I see this Aussie side doing. I don’t have an issue."

Stoinis reflects on warm-up hundred

Stoinis spoke after the match of the fun and pride he felt at being back playing for Australia. 

"It’s fun to be out there playing again in these colours with your mates, it’s good fun.

"It's more the fact we're so lucky to be playing in this team, travelling through England, playing on beautiful grounds against good opposition and going into a good series.

"It's about focusing on your job, what you have to do and enjoying what you can."

Gillespie said he believed the Australians had an ODI squad that could give the world No.1 ranked England a run, with a focus on performance while there remained so much external scrutiny on the team's culture and sledging .

"A lot's been made of all this, culture’s been this big buzz word of late but I think you’ll see a fully committed Aussie side going out there," Gillespie said.

"They’ll just play the game and go out there and try to out skill their opposition

"I think the good cricket teams, the best cricket teams, play the game on skill and that’s by and large what happens around the world in any competition. 

"The team that nails their skills the best for the longest tend to come out on top. And from that I’ve seen that’s what I think this Aussie side will focus on."

Qantas tours of England and Zimbabwe

ODI squad: Tim Paine (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Qantas Tour of England

June 7: Warm-up v Sussex: Australia won by 57 runs

June 9: Warm-up v Middlesex, Lord's

June 13: First ODI, The Oval (D/N)

June 16: Second ODI, Cardiff

June 19: Third ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)

June 21: Fourth ODI, Durham (D/N)

June 24: Fifth ODI, Old Trafford

June 27: Only T20, Edgbaston (D/N)

Qantas T20I tri-series Tour of Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Monday, July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

Tuesday, July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Wednesday, July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Thursday, July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

Friday, July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 8: Final