England’s cricketing crowds have shown no mercy to Australia during the Ashes but a moment of truth will arrive in their treatment of ageing legends Steve Smith and David Warner at The Oval.
While retirement rumours around the duo have been dismissed, both players will almost certainly be making their final appearances on English soil in the fifth Test, starting in London on Thursday night (AEST).
From the raucous scenes at Lord’s onwards, crowd behaviour has been in the spotlight this series — with the ‘Bazball’ revolution and its emphasis on entertainment seemingly generating a new and hostile atmosphere — and Aussie greats Smith and Warner have been among the favourite targets.
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‘I feel sorry for English cricket’ | 03:02
Footage captured Smith being taunted about…