English fans are ruthless... as expected - Aussie spinner

Cape Town - Off-spinner Nathan Lyon says Australia have gotten used to the hostile atmosphere directed towards them from English fans ahead of the Cricket World Cup.

Batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner, who have just returned from one-year bans for ball-tampering, copped plenty of flak from the partisan home crowd in Australia's 12-run victory over England in the warm-up match in Southampton on Saturday.

But Lyon says the Baggy Greens were well prepared for the abuse from the vocal English support, having had to endure plenty of criticism on English soil in the past.

"It was as expected - they're ruthless over here," he said. "I've had two Ashes tours and a one-day series over here and haven't experienced anything else.

"They're ruthless and there’s not much love. They haven't changed their lines in the last 12 months."

Smith responded in the best way possible to the abuse, scoring 116 of 102 balls to guide the Aussies to victory.

Australia open their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan in Bristol on Saturday.