If Alex Ross had his way, he would welcome the boos. But if you're going to give him an icy reception, just make sure you're not sitting near his mum.
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Ross will play his first game since moving to the Sydney Thunder in their Big Bash League opener against his former side in the Brisbane Heat at The Gabba on Tuesday night.
He expects the reception will be a little bit different to what he became accustomed to hearing when he was running around in the teal uniforms of the Heat.
But this scenario is hardly anything new for the Canberra export - Ross' first game after moving to Brisbane came against another former team, the Adelaide Strikers in Adelaide.
"So I'm ready for the boos, I've had it before," Ross said.
"I guess you have that little bit of extra motivation, more than what you need. It's going to be great, it's a great atmosphere at The Gabba so I'm looking forward to that.
"If we can get a win, it means that little bit more."
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So how did Ross deal with it last time around? Was it hard to return to Adelaide Oval to face one of the BBL's most parochial fan bases?
"It was tough. I remember mum was in the stands and she was quite upset with all the booing," Ross said.
"She actually went up to a couple of people and said 'hey, stop the booing'. It's hopefully not going to be that bad, but we'll see.
"Lucky I made some runs last time it happened, so if there is anyone wanting to boo, go for it, and hopefully I can churn out a few runs.
"In the end it's all about the team, and if we get the runs, that will be what's important at the end of the day."
One place Ross knows he will get a warm welcome is Manuka Oval - the 27-year-old had a stint in Canberra before heading to Adelaide and into the South Australia Redbacks system.
The Thunder will return to their adopted home against the Strikers at Manuka Oval on Saturday with officials expecting a near-full house in scorching conditions.
"Hopefully we've got the home rooms and I can see my photo on the wall or something, that'd be nice," Ross said.
"I still keep in touch with a few guys from school and guys I played cricket with at underage levels."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
