David Warner And Steve Smith Have To Expect The Worst From English Crowd – Ricky Ponting

Mar 16, 2019 at 4:47 PM

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David Warner And Steve Smith Have To Expect The Worst From English Crowd – Ricky Ponting

Finally, the ban period of David Warner and Steve Smith is on its way to end. They also recovered well from their shoulder injuries, which made things look smooth for their return to the game. But, surprisingly, Australia didn’t involve them in the squad for the series against Pakistan. Meanwhile, the former cricketer Ricky Ponting makes his voice on the duo.

Smith and Warner were banned for their roles in last year’s Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. Now, they are eligible for selection again on March 29. It means that they can be called up for the fourth ODI against Pakistan. But, that wasn’t the case, as Cricket Australia thought otherwise.

I couldn’t bear watching Press conferences of David Warner and Steve Smith:

Speaking of the embarrassing Ball-tampering incident, legendary Australia quoted that he isn’t aware of what happened in the dressing room before taking such an option during the match against South Africa. However, he doesn’t want to know the story as well.

Steven Smith, David Warner, England Barmy Army
Steven Smith (Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

”I don’t know. Not having been around the team at that time, I don’t know how they got around to the view that it (ball-tampering) would be an acceptable thing to do. I couldn’t bear to watch Warner and Smith’s press conferences. I’m better off not knowing what led to it,” he said.

Despite that, the former skipper is happy that the duo is finally on their way to make a comeback. He feels it is a piece of brilliant news for the team and hopeful that their presence would make a massive impact.

Candice Warner, David Warner, Australia, Ball Tampering
Credits – Getty

”I don’t know. Not having been around the team at that time, I don’t know how they got around to the view that it (ball-tampering) would be an acceptable thing to do. I couldn’t bear to watch Warner and Smith’s press conferences. I’m better off not knowing what led to it,” he added.

On return to the Australian team:

It was a brilliant series victory for Australia against India in Indian conditions. The win would have certainly lifted their soul up, especially, ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019. Meanwhile, Ricky Ponting shares his thoughts on the return of Steve Smith and David Warner to the current team and the problems, which they need to encounter.

Steven Smith, David Warner
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

”They’re in the UAE now, with the team, just sort of starting their integration process, which I think is a smart thing to do. Those two players have to expect the worst, not from their own teammates, but from the crowds in England. They’re not going to get too much love from the people in the UK,” he added.

Were the bans too harsh?

Ponting couldn’t say whether the ban was harsh or not but he explained an incident, which tells how much impact it made in the country. He revealed a story saying that an 80-year-old lady asked him what happening with the Cricket Team? Further, the prime minister also made his comment, which tells you the impact.

”It’s a tough one to say the ban was too harsh. At the time it went down, it was incredible, the public’s fallout with the Australian team. I was walking down the street in a quiet little suburb and an 80-year-old lady stopped me and said, “What’s happening with your cricket team?” I said.

Ricky Ponting, Shot Clock
Ricky Ponting. Credits: Getty Images.

Ponting added that Playing hard is Australia’s culture but they never entertained cheating. He feels that Cricket Australia took a strong stance. Comparing to ban period of ICC with Australia, he felt it was harsh.

“It’s not my team, I haven’t played for five years!” That’s what it was like. The Prime Minister commented almost the day after it happened, it made a huge impact. Australians play hard, but cheating is not accepted in our culture. Cricket Australia had to take a strong stance. But if you compare their one-year ban with the ICC’s one-game ban, you can say it was harsh,” he added.

All in all, they are all set to make a return to the game of cricket on March 29th. Next, they will be appearing in Indian Premier League 2019 for their respective teams and probably, would feature for Australia in World Cup.

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