May training camp to herald the return of Steve Smith and David Warner to national squad duties
Steve Smith and David Warner are set to join their Australian teammates in a training camp in Brisbane in early May, five weeks after their one-year ban for the ball tampering scandal expires.
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Steve Smith and David Warner are set to make their return to Australian colours at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field in May.
The two players are set to be part of Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad and will join their Australian teammates in a training camp in Brisbane in early May.
The camp will include two warm-up games against New Zealand at Border Field which are expected to feature both players.
The one-year ban both players received for the ball tampering scandal in South Africa expires on March 28.
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Both players are in India for the Indian Premier League with Smith playing for the Rajasthan Royals and Warner for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
While all Australian World Cup players will return from the IPL for the World Cup camp, the New Zealand squad will not be at full strength because their IPL players such as Kane Williamson have been given permission to stay for the full tournament.
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Australia’s selectors are yet to meet to discuss their new 20-man contract list but it is likely Smith and Warner will receive mid-to-low-level deals.
Part of the contract assessment criteria is a reward for performances over the past year so neither player could earn a solitary dollar in this category given the year ban.
But the stronger category is what is expected of the player over the next year and with an Ashes and a World Cup looming Smith and Warner will be heavily in the mix.
Former Test great Ian Chappell has suggested Tim Paine should captain Australia to the World Cup if ailing skipper Aaron Finch cannot regain form in the five-match 50 over series against Pakistan in the UAE starting Friday.
The suggestion may have come from left field but it could strongly into view if Finch continues to get bowled and lbw with balls which exploit his recent defensive frailties.
The only certainty is that however much Finch struggles in the UAE life will be no easier in England with the World Cup been played early season on fresh wickets which are likely to yield some seam.
Finch has averaged just 22 in eight 50 over games for his country this year.
Originally published as May training camp to herald the return of Steve Smith and David Warner to national squad duties
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