Published 14:47 IST, February 22nd 2020

'Sandpaper for sale': Hostile crowd mocks Smith & Australia with scarring poster

Australia were greeted by a hostile crowd during the first T20 at Johannesburg against South Africa, with fans holding posters of 'Sandpapers for sale'

Reported by: Koushik Narayanan
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Australia were greeted by a hostile crowd during first T20 at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg against South Africa, with fans holding posters of 'Sandpapers for sale' in stands, booing visitors. Australia cruised to a comfortable 107-run win as y crushed South Africa for just 89 runs. Steve Smith and David Warner, two stars who were involved in Sandpapergate scandal, were booed by fans and were also subjected to posters as such. memories of scandal remain afresh in minds of South African fans, who were first-hand witness to event two years ago, which saw Warner, Smith, and Bancroft being banned for a year.  placard that read 'Sandpapers for sale' was spotted among fans in stands, being waved at Smith and Australia.   

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Smith's successful return to South Africa

It was a successful return to South Africa for Smith, who was stripped of captaincy and banned for a year after 'Sandpaper-gate' scandal in 2018. David Warner, who was also banned for a year for his part in affair, hit a four off first ball of match but was caught at fine leg off next delivery from Steyn, ending a sequence in which he had scored 267 runs and only been dismissed once in his previous six T20 internationals. win extended Australia's unbeaten run in format to nine matches, with eight wins and one -result. ir last defeat was in vember 2018. second match of series is at Port Elizabeth on Sunday with third and final game in Cape Town on Wednesday. 

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Ashton Agar makes an impact

South Africa were reeling at 40 for four when Agar came on to bowl.He had Faf du Plessis caught at deep cover with his fourth delivery, trapped Andile Phehlukwayo leg before next ball and Dale Steyn superbly caught at slip by captain Aaron Finch to complete hat-trick.Smith and Finch (42) set up Australia's big total with an aggressive second-wicket stand of 80 off 52 balls, benefitting from some loose South African bowling. "I'm t quite sure what happened," said De Kock. "ir energy was re but skills weren't good eugh." By contrast, Australia's bowlers were on target immediately." way we attacked crease and bowled a really good, aggressive length was crucial," said Finch."We pride ourselves on t giving away width with new ball and making batsmen hit good shots off good balls." 

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14:47 IST, February 22nd 2020