Returning trio equipped for more crowd hostility: Ponting

Having closely observed the negligible effect that constant cat-calling from spectators had upon Steve Smith and David Warner during the World Cup, Ricky Ponting expects a similarly benign impact when it invariably continues throughout the Ashes.

Ponting, who was part of the Australia men's team coaching staff for the recently concluded ICC tournament, saw first-hand the hostile crowd reactions that greeted Smith and Warner on their return to international cricket.

While the relentless booing that greeted the pair every time they featured in play may have taken a private toll, Ponting claimed that - within the team environment - there was no outward indication that either player was perturbed.

There's an expectation that the pantomime reactions will remain ongoing, and potentially be amplified when the five-Test Qantas Ashes Tour of the UK formally gets underway next week.

Image Id: 175236DEF02245698527E2D93A8ABB1F Image Caption: A fan shows his support for Steve Smith during the World Cup // Getty

But from what he gleaned during his stint as an assistant to men's team coach Justin Langer throughout the World Cup, Ponting believes the two established Test stars will remain unruffled in the face of taunts raining down from the stands.

"I'm sure it’s been difficult, but you wouldn’t know from the way they've been around the team," Ponting said of the former captain and his ex-deputy's demeanour.

"The important thing for those guys coming back into the side was, if they started the World Cup well and got some runs under their belts, then it would be easier for them to handle some of the stuff that's been going on.

"I'm just pleased for both of them that they played the way they did.

"Smithy probably didn't have as much of an impact in the middle part of the tournament, but he battled his backside off for us (in the semi-final loss to England) in pretty tough conditions where wickets were falling around him everywhere.

"We batted him at number three in the semi-final because we wanted to show how much faith we had in him and, being a world-class player, that he could play that sort of innings for the team, and he did it.

"So no doubt it’s been difficult, but to their credit, they've handled it well and their teammates have been terrific around them as well."

Given that Cameron Bancroft was not part of the World Cup squad, Ponting is unsure of the reception that awaits the other player to be suspended after last year's third Test in Cape Town.

However, should the Western Australia opener be included in the final XI for the Ashes series opener, Ponting believes he will also possess the strength of mind to shut out whatever crowd noise comes his way.

"I think Justin Langer is a pretty good assessor of people's character," Ponting told cricket.com.au.

"And Justin talks very highly of Cameron Bancroft as a person and as a character, so if that's the case I think he will handle it fine."

As the World Cup progressed and the booing intensified, Ponting came to share the opinion of former England off-spinner Graeme Swann that it revealed more about the spectators taking part than the players they were targeting.

Swann suggested that those engaging in the cat-calling were effectively showing the same sort of poor behaviour they were seemingly moved to condemn.

Ponting also claimed a majority of cricket fans in the UK became opposed to the targeting of Smith and Warner by crowds, but was certain it would continue throughout the Ashes regardless of broader sentiment.

"The interesting thing for me is … even though there has been a lot of people booing every day, it’s not been received well by the cricket-loving public of England," Ponting said.

Image Id: 4A0EE2D8B16449B9A416CE7E81336C20 Image Caption: English fans hold sandpaper during the World Cup // Getty

"They're all jumping on it pretty quickly and wanting it to stop, and they're not happy it’s going on.

"But there's no doubt it’s going to go on for the next couple of months.

"It’s not going to change we know that, and the players know that, so they've just got to keep dealing with it the best way that they can."

As Ponting sees it, the greater challenge for Warner, Smith and others embarking on the Ashes campaign will be mastering the Dukes ball in British conditions rather than ignoring the incessant taunts from English crowds.

Indeed, the difficulties that both teams face were starkly illustrated this week when two iterations of Australia's top-order struggled for runs in the intra-squad warm-up game at Southampton, and England were humbled by Ireland's seamers before their quicks, in turn, scuttled the Test newcomers for 38 in their historic one-off meeting at Lord's.

"And if they produce green wickets again,” Ponting added. “Then anyone that bats in the top order for either team in this Ashes series, it’s not going to be easy because they're two world class bowling attacks on difficult surfaces.

"It’s not going to be easy, so straight away there's some challenges there and maybe the little things - longer days (than World Cup matches) in the field, longer days when you've got to bat, the Barmy Army (with) a few more beers in the afternoon.

"So there'll be similar challenges, maybe just more of them - and maybe for longer periods of time."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

First Test: August 1-5,Edgbaston

Tour match: Australians v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: August 14-18,Lord's

Third Test: August 22-26, Headingley

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval