Saturday 18 May 2019 23:13, UK
Steve Smith and David Warner will be ready to "face the fire" at next month's World Cup, says Australia coach Justin Langer.
Former skipper Smith and Warner are part of Australia's squad for the World Cup and the Ashes after returning to the international fold following the ball-tampering scandal against South Africa in 2018.
Speaking for the first time since his squad arrived in England ahead of an action-packed summer of cricket, Langer admits he is thrilled to be able to call upon Smith and Warner.
"It's really nice to have them back," Langer said.
"They've had 12 months to have a good think about a mistake they and the team made, and I'm sure they'll be better people for that.
"We can't control the crowd. What I do know is it might ramp up, it might heat up. But I can guarantee it won't be any hotter than it was 12 months ago. I've never seen anything like it.
"The boys are very well prepared. They've paid a heavy price and we're expecting always to come here and to face the fire and we're ready for that.
"They're human beings as well and I've never, there's not too many I've met in my life, who like being booed or heckled or disliked.
"They're human beings. We're going to have to care for them, we're going to have to put an arm around them and make sure they're going okay."
Australia are the reigning World Cup champions but will be facing an England side top of the one-day internationals rankings.
Last year saw England compile an ODI world record total of 481-6 against Australia at Trent Bridge and the fierce rivals will go head to head for the first time in a World Cup warm-up at Southampton on May 25.
After watching England take an unbeatable 3-0 ODI series lead against Pakistan at Trent Bridge on Friday, Langer added: "They're playing brilliant cricket, aren't they?
"There's always good rivalry between us and it's going to be nice for us to see how we're at against the best team in the world."
Watch the fifth one-day international between England and Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.30am on Sunday, May 19.
