There were audible boos, jeers and chants of "cheat", something which David Warner and Steve Smith will need to get used to during the course of the World Cup.

Steve Smith and David Warner returned to national duty earlier this month after they were banned for a year for their role in the ball-tampering scandal.

Steve Smith scored a magnificent 102-ball 116 on Saturday in the World Cup warm-up game in Southampton which Australia won by 12 runs.

England were poised to chase down the target, reaching 197 for 4 in the 34th over but after that, they lost the plot as they were bowled out for 285 in 49.3 overs.

The English fans weren't warm towards David Warner and Steve Smith in World Cup's warm-up game.

Ricky Ponting said there were concerns about the middle-order's ability to play spin a year ago but the return of David Warner and Steve Smith has strengthened the team.

Steve Smith, who returned to the national set-up earlier this month, posted 76 off 82 balls as Australia chased down the 230-run target with more than 11 overs to spare against West Indies.

Jos Buttler professed his admiration for Virat Kohli and also revealed how the time he spent with Steve Smith during the IPL and learnt from him.

Steve Smith and David Warner will be donning the Baggie Green for the first time in England since they were banned for a year by Cricket Australia following their involvement in the ball tampering scandal.

Despite being out of action for such a long time, Warner showed imperious form in the recently concluded IPL 2019 as the opener topped the charts of run-getters with 692 runs from 12 innings.

Ben Stokes said that the tag was a result of the performance that his team has put up day in and day out over the last few seasons.

Comparing Smith to master blaster Sachin Tendulkar was a huge compliment that also sent out a warning to rivals teams ahead of the World Cup beginning on May 30.

Langer admitted that controlling the crowd is not their hands but urged the fans to treat Warner and Smith as human beings, prone to committing mistakes. 

For the defending champions, the primary selection question centres on how to fit in Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja and Warner into the top three.

Shreyas Gopal revealed how Steve Smith helped him take the hat-trick wicket of Marcus Stoinis at the M. Chinnaswamy -- his home ground for 10 months in a year.

Langer said one of Smith's goals when he started serving his one-year ban following the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal was to return to the squad in better physical shape.

Back after a year's suspension for his involvement in ball-tampering scandal, Smith was scratchy during 2019 IPL but found his mojo back with unbeaten 89 and 91 against New Zealand.

Australia won the unofficial practice series 2-1, clinching the third game on the Duckworth-Lewis method when bad light stopped play on Friday.

Steve Smith shined with the bat for Australia against New Zealand XI in the second match since his return, but David Warner lasted only six balls. 

Captain Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja opened the innings for Australia XI despite Steve Smith and David Warner returning to the side after serving their bans.