Steve Smith is not bothered by renewed questioning of Australia's cricketing morals after Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal at Lord's, and says his experiences of the Sandpapergate scandal can help the tourists weather the storm.
The row over Bairstow's stumping by wicketkeeper Alex Carey on the final day of Australia's Second Test victory has ramped up hostilities ahead of the start of the Third Test at Headingley on Thursday.
The dismissal was entirely within cricket's laws, but both England captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum have said they would have withdrawn the appeal on the grounds of fair play.
Stokes has warned Australia to expect a raucous atmosphere in Leeds as a result, while McCullum believes the incident has "galvanised" his side as they attempt to overturn a 2-0 series deficit.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion," said Smith. "I know the person I am, I know how I want to go about things. I am out here playing my game for my country. Everyone can say what they like, it doesn't bother me. I am comfortable in my own skin."
Smith was stripped of the Australia captaincy and banned for a year over his role in the ball-tampering scandal that surfaced during the tour of South Africa in 2018 and was given a rough ride by England fans upon his return to the side for the following summer's Ashes series.
"Any of the guys, if anyone wants to talk about anything, I have obviously been through a lot and had the experiences," Smith, who will play his 100th Test at Leeds added. "So, my door is always open."
The debate over the Bairstow incident has continued to rage at the start of this week, with even the prime ministers of both countries weighing in.
Writing in his Daily Mail column this morning, England bowler Stuart Broad said he was "amazed" that none of Australia's senior players had questioned the merit of their appeal and believes captain Pat Cummins will come to regret his decision.
"Especially given what their team has been through over recent years, with all their cultural change," Broad wrote. "Not one of them said, 'Hang on, lads. I'm not really sure about this'. Pat Cummins is a really great guy and I would be amazed, once the emotion settles, if he does not sit back and think, 'I got that one wrong'."
Part of Australia's defence was that Bairstow has himself attempted similar run-outs against opposition players in this and previous Ashes series, with batter Travis Head claiming the England keeper had told him during the First Test that he would have no qualms were the shoe on the other foot.
"Jonny wasn't too pleased," Head told the Willow Talk podcast. "I reminded him that last week at Edgbaston I walked out of my crease at the end of the over and the ball got whipped in.
I quickly whipped my bat back and questioned Jonny: Would you take the stumps?’ He said, 'I would!' and ran off. So, I sort of reminded him that last week he said he'd do exactly the same thing."
Headingley chiefs are preparing to strengthen security measures this week, both in response to the ugly scenes that saw Australian players confronted by MCC members in the Long Room at Lord's and the Just Stop Oil protest that delayed play on the first morning.
"Clearly, some incidents at Lord's have heightened the interest and exposure of the Third Test," a spokesperson said. "We will continue to work closely with both the England and Wales Cricket Board and West Yorkshire Police to ensure our safety measures are proportionate for this fixture."
