The banned duo of Steve Smith and David Warner are all likely to come back into the Australian team as soon as their ban ends, according to reports from Cricket Australia (CA). As the schedule of Australia’s Pakistan series in UAE got revealed, the speculations are catching the fire that both batsmen can play the last two ODIs of five-match series.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the dates of five-match ODI series and the fourth game will be played on March 29 and the suspension will end on the eve of the match. Hence, it is all likely that both players can feature in this match. Cricket Australia made it clear that both batsmen will be drafted into the squad as soon as possible once the ban ends.
Also Read: Steve Smith os hearing up for WC after successful elbow surgery
Smith and Warner were guilty of promoting ball-tampering during the Cape Town Test against South Africa. While Cameron Bancroft got banned for nine months, both senior players received a 12-month ban from CA.
However, whether they will be available for the fourth ODI or not will be decided later as both batsmen are recovering from their elbow surgeries. Smith is in greater danger of not being fit to return immediately once his ban ends. His road back to full fitness is more complicated because his injury and surgery were more serious than Warner’s, with the former captain still in an elbow brace until the end of February.
Smith’s manager, Warren Craig, said the former captain’s surgery had “gone very well”.
In February, he told cricket.com.au “Until the brace comes off we don’t know for sure but all current opinion is that he’ll then have about three and a half weeks (before being ready to play). The intent is that he will play in the IPL and then the World Cup and then the Ashes.”
Australia coach Justin Langer, however, is keen for the pair to play as much top-flight cricket as possible before their World Cup campaign begins on June 1.
“(It’s about) how much cricket they get to play between now and then, but I’m sure we’ll find opportunities. They’ll find opportunities … but I can’t see anything else (stopping them). We’re talking about two great players. We’re not talking about two really good players, they’re two great players who, on paper, we’d be crazy not to have them in the team (for the World Cup),” said Langer.
Also Read: David Warner to undergo elbow surgery
The five-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will commence from March 22 and the final game is scheduled to be played on 31st March.
