The Ashes: England fans should be better than “abuse” directed at Steve Smith, says Darren Lehmann

During a test against South Africa, Smith admitted that Australia’s “leadership group” had devised a plan to tamper with the ball.

Former opener David Warner taught batsman Cameron Bancroft how to use sandpaper to rough up the ball, and Bancroft was caught by TV cameras doing so during the game. Both men were banned along with Smith.

Smith made his comeback following the ball-tampering incident in the 2019 Ashes Test at Edgbaston and has been booed repeatedly since then.

England fans were also jeered at his tear-filled press conference in 2018.

“We did something wrong, accept it and move on,” Lehmann said.

“You’re trying to move forward in the best way possible. You’re reminded of it every day, and that’s an important part of it.

“Steve Smith can hold his head up high with the way he handles everything.

“Barmy Army has to be better than this. Most of it supports and supports what’s going on in the game.”