Australia’s former skipper Steven Smith and David Warner ball-tampering bans are set to be lifted tomorrow on 29th March. Both of these players had received a year-long ban for their respective role in the ball-tampering scandal. David Warner was the architect of Sandpapergate and had tempted Cameron Bancroft to alter the condition of the ball.
Meanwhile, both of these players are currently plying on their trade in the Indian Premier League. Both of these players will look to be at the top of their game in the Twenty20 league. In fact, Australia had regained their prime form as they had won the ODI series against India by 3-2.
Warner and Smith will like to hit the ground running.
Furthermore, they have taken an impregnable lead of 3-0 in the five-match series against Pakistan. Consequently, Warner and Smith will need to prove their mettle to get back into the Australian side.
In fact, both these players had recently spent some time with the national side and said that it felt like they never left.
Meanwhile, Aaron Finch, who is currently the captain of the side believes it is different times and Warner and Smith will need to adjust to the current team.
“It’s a totally different set-up to when they left it,” Finch was quoted as saying. “What’s important is they’re really keen to slot back into how this current side works.
“They were probably as nervous as anyone coming back into the group. You’d think guys with 20-odd test hundreds would just come back in, but it is a different time and they have been out for quite a while.”
On the other hand, David Warner made a roaring comeback in the Indian Premier League. Warner had scored a fine knock of 85 off just 53 balls with the help of nine fours and three sixes. However, Steven Smith could not hit the ground running for the Rajasthan Royals.
Meanwhile, Pat Cummins is hopeful that both Warner and Smith would be in the mix of the World Cup squad.
“Cricket was pretty much their life, and having that taken away, it took them both quite a while to adjust,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll both be right in the mix for the World Cup.”
Meanwhile, Steven Smith and David Warner should get back into Australia’s World Cup squad. Warner and Smith are Australia’s best batsman and they would like to prove their mettle.