Australia will be highly competitive but respectful in England, says Tim Paine

The Australian cricket team has faced the brunt of disgrace following the ball-tampering scandal orchestrated by Steve Smith and David Warner. However, the team has generally been criticised as boorish and out of step with public expectations. The current skipper, Tim Paine, has said that the culture and conduct of the team will be rectified for the upcoming tour but the cricketing world will always see the might of the World Cup holders in the game.

The Australian side is said to leave on Monday for the series in England, where they can expect certain hostility from the England cricket fans due to the unfortunate ball-tampering issue which is still fresh in everyone’s mind. The sides will play five one-day matches and a Twenty20 International. Paine and newly appointed coach David Langer have emphasized the importance of inculcating values to improve team culture and conduct.

"Langer sat us down for a team meeting last week and spoke about the Australian cricket team’s values, and what he expects,” Paine told media in Brisbane on Monday.

“It’s nothing that’s brand new, nothing the guys haven’t heard before – it’s purely about acting on what we know is the right thing to do and the right way to play our cricket. That’s been a huge focus for us, has been around our actions, our behaviours and making sure we live up to the standards that the Australian cricket team should. We’ve had Spirit of Cricket documents, we’ve had Code of Conduct documents, but at the end of the day they mean nothing if you don’t act on them and you don’t live by them."

However, whilst focusing on having a fresh appearance in England, Paine noted that they were mindful of the 4-1 loss that the team conceded to the England side led by Eoin Morgan, who are upcoming favourites for next year’s World Cup. While Australia will be lacking their batting mainstays Steve Smith and David Warner, as well as injured fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummings, the team is keen to put up a fierce challenge and establish a solid stand ahead of the global showpiece next year.

“We’re not going over there to make up the numbers or be the nicest Australian cricket team ever to play against,” the wicketkeeper said. “We’re going to be really competitive, at the same time we’re going to be really respectful, but we’re going there to win.”