Steve Smith picks the brain of fellow former skipper Steve Waugh ahead of grade cricket return
STEVE Smith’s return to an Australian cricket field this weekend has been hailed as “a massive bonus” by former Test skipper Steve Waugh.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
STEVE Smith’s return to an Australian cricket field this weekend has been hailed as “a massive bonus” by former Test skipper Steve Waugh.
Smith is still officially in exile after the South African sandpaper affair but has permission to play for Sutherland in the Sydney grade competition, which starts tomorrow.
Waugh’s son Austin also plays for Sutherland.
The former great was watching the team train yesterday afternoon and said Smith’s appearance was “fantastic for grade cricket, which has been neglected for too long”.
“We’re talking about it, people are covering it,” Waugh said.
“There’s going to be people who are going to watch it. I mean that’s a massive bonus out of what’s happened to the boys in South Africa. They’re back playing grade cricket and it’s raised awareness as to how important it is.”
RETURN: Warner’s rivals make no-sledge pledge
LEADER: Waugh reveals secret mentoring role
Smith wanted to keep a low profile, declining to comment other than to say he was feeling “good”.
Waugh said the players had welcomed Smith with open arms.
“Obviously they’re excited,” Waugh said.
“I mean why wouldn’t you be? Playing with Steve Smith and Shane Watson in grade cricket. It’s a bit like I guess when I was playing shield cricket and test cricket, you go back to the great club and it’s a really exciting time for younger players.
“It’s a huge opportunity for them to learn off the best players in the world. Steve Smith averages 60 and in test cricket Shane Watson’s the only player who’s captained Australia in three forms of cricket. I mean it’s pretty lucky for all the players.”
Saturday’s match against Mosman at Glen McGrath Oval tomorrow will be Smith’s first hit out on Australian soil since his one-year sandpaper ball tampering ban.
He turned over his arm in the nets before donning the pads to have a bat.
Former NSW coach Steve Rixon was also at Sutherland’s training session after returning to Australia from coaching in Pakistan to take up an assistant coaching position with the club.
Midway through training Smith and Waugh chatted on the hill, with Smith listening attentively to the batting great 24 years his senior.
When the session was over Smith helped his teammates put the covers over the pitch.
Kogarah father Romit Saha took his son Ruben, 7, to the oval to watch Smith play, saying the sandpaper scandal could serve as a lesson to his young son.
“People make mistakes, people sometimes think winning is everything, but in the end you have to realise that it’s just about the fun of the game,” Mr Saha said.
“It is what it is, you have to take the punishment and move on. We’re ready to forgive him and enjoy cricket again.”
Smith has maintained a low profile since the ball tampering scandal broke in March.
He briefly made a return to professional cricket in Canada, but his time with Sutherland is widely seen as his proper road to redemption.
Banned opener David Warner will also play this weekend for Randwick-Petersham.
Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 2 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T & Cs apply.