Mitchell Starc expects vocal crowd but no animosity in Durban return

Mitchell Starc said relations between Australia and South Africa have improved since the confrontational 2018 series, adding there is "no animosity" ahead of the first Test at Kingsmead on October 9. The teams have shared dressing rooms frequently through franchise T20 competitions in recent seasons.

Starc expects noise from Castle Corner during the ODI on Thursday and the Test, though he said he can ignore the crowd. Recent rain in KwaZulu-Natal has left the pitch less dry than in 2018, when Starc took nine wickets in the series opener.

Australia will be led in the ODI by stand-in captain Mitch Marsh, with several players crossing paths with South African counterparts in the IPL, The Hundred and Major League Cricket.