'Looking forward to hostile reception from Proteas fans': Steve Smith on SA return

Ahead of three-match T20I series against Proteas, Australia batsman Steve Smith, who is returning to South Africa for first time after 2018 ball-tampering scandal said that he is looking forward to hostile reception thrown at him from Proteas fans.

Australia has t played a T20 international since vember and this is side's first tour back to South Africa since infamous 'Sandpapergate' scandal. In 2018, Warner, Smith, and Cameron Bancroft were involved in ball-tampering in Cape Town Test and as a result, trio was suspended by Cricket Australia for one year.

'It's nice to be back playing in South Africa'

“It’s nice to be back playing in South Africa,” Smith told reporters on Wednesday. “ last time I was here things didn’t end overly well, but I’ve also got really fond memories of playing here. Just walking into hotel in Sandton, initially, I was like, ‘ last time I left here it wasn’t pretty’. It wasn’t best time in my life. But I’ve moved on from that and learned a lot," he added. 

right-handed batsman said that he has been playing for a year w and he is "really enjoying it and he is in a nice place." "y are hostile at best of times here. It doesn't bor me too much. Like Justin (Langer) said we had dress rehearsal in England where re was a fair bit going on but I honestly don't tice it, particularly when I am batting," Smith said.

'It doesn't affect me'

"I don't really hear anything that's going on and I block it all out. Maybe a little bit when I am fielding. But n again it's just words, it doesn't affect me. I think I will be doing some outfielding so I'm looking forward to it. I will smile and laugh and play along and have fun," he added.

READ | Aakash Chopra gives Smith & Root boot as he names cricket's new 'fab four'

Since making his comeback in 2019, Smith has scored two centuries and a double-hundred in Ashes, a hundred in his most recent ODI innings against India and two unbeaten fifties in his last three T20 innings.

READ | Steve Smith made whopping $12.1m after investing $100k in mattress startup in 2005: Report

"I have been to a few of restaurants where people have been lovely. Guys have come up and had a few photographs so that's been good. It's been pretty rmal to when I have been here previously," Smith said. Australia will next take on South Africa in three T20Is and as many ODIs. first T20I will be played on February 21.

READ | Greg Chappell does T pick Steve Smith as Australia's best Test batsman after Don Bradman

READ | Show respect to Smith and Warner: CSA tells South African fans as Australia arrive

(With ncy inputs)(Im credits: AP)