Justin Langer asks cricket fans not to boo David Warner and Steve Smith

Coach Justin Langer has pleaded with English fans not to boo David Warner and Steve Smith and remember they are human beings on their Australian returns.

More than 14 months on from ball-tampering saga, Smith will play his first official game back against Afghanistan on Saturday while Warner must only overcome a glute strain in Bristol.

The pair were jeered in last Saturday’s warm-up win over England, with sections of the crowd even booing when Smith brought up his century.

And while Australia’s coach Langer knows what’s likely to follow, he wants cricket fans to show respect.

“They are human beings, and that’s the truth. That’s where I find it hard. I am a dad, and I have got kids. A lot of the time, players feel like they are my kids,” Langer said.

“And you see that happen. You know, you feel for them personally. They are going to have to have thick skin.

“But I think it is really important that people show some respect as well. Because they are humans, they are really good cricketers.

“They made a mistake. They have paid the price for it. Big price actually. I feel for them as people more than anything else.”

Langer said he would not raise the issue again with the pair before Australia’s tournament opener, and nor would did he worry if it would hurt their cricket.

But asked if he would be disappointed if the players were jeered, Langer said: “I will be disappointed any day if any cricketer is booed on a cricket ground.

“Regardless of what country they play for. It is not the spirit that any of us like to see.

“Obviously it hurts because I have got an emotional attachment, and personal attachment, to our players. But it is never a good look, is it, when that happens?“

One thing Langer isn’t concerned about, though, is their ability to score runs, after Warner averaged above 50 in his myriad of cricketing appearances during his ban.

And despite having one of the more unorthodox techniques in world cricket, Smith looks to have found his rhythm again with 394 runs at 131.33 in Australia’s six warm-up games.

“I was never, ever worried about (Smith)’s batting,” Langer said.

“A bit like David. I was not worried about their batting. I was wondering how they would come back into the team, having to deal with (crowds).

“Steve Smith has a master mind, he thinks about batting all the time. I was never worried about his batting.”