Oh Canada! Steve Smith, David Warner could take shock detour in cricket comeback

DAVID Warner and Steve Smith could both make their much-anticipated returns to cricket in the same tournament — a Twenty20 league in Canada.

Steve Smith could make his return in an unlikely place. Picture: Reuters

DAVID Warner and Steve Smith could both make their much-anticipated returns to cricket in the same tournament — a Twenty20 league in Canada.

Australia’s deposed captain and vice-captain have been approached by the Global T20 Canada competition based in Toronto and it’s understood both are seriously considering signing up for the event being staged from June 28 to July 16.

At this point nothing has been agreed to, and there is still water to go under the bridge, but there is the mouth-watering prospect that the two stars could go head-to-head in Toronto as they start their journeys back to international cricket.

Steve Smith could make his return in an unlikely place. Picture: Reuters

It wasn’t thought any potential match-up between the big-name duo would take place until the Sydney grade cricket season, with Warner to line up for Randwick-Petersham and Smith for Sutherland.

Cricket Australia is supporting Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who were suspended from international and state cricket over the ball-tampering scandal, and have already declared they won’t be standing in anyone’s way if opportunities arise at home and abroad.

The trio are currently serving 12- and nine-month bans from international and state cricket for their part in the Cape Town drama, but are permitted to play in T20 leagues and local competitions.

New Australian captain Tim Paine and coach Justin Langer have stated that both Smith and Warner would be welcomed back into the Test and international arena once their bans have been served.

David Warner with Hannah McRostie at a coaching clinic. Picture: Michael Franchi

Perhaps the biggest hurdle they must overcome is getting quality cricket under their belts before their ban is lifted ahead of next year’s one-day World Cup and Ashes in England.

Being rubbed out of state cricket has made that nearly an impossibility, but there are numerous T20 leagues around the world understood to be clambering for the signatures of Smith and Warner in particular.

The Global T20 league will feature six teams with four Canadians included in each squad.

One side is made up of West Indian players but there are offers there for Smith and Warner to slot into one of the other five sides.

Warner and Smith are both due to play grade cricket and will also partake in community service as per their CA sanctions.

Western Australia cricket has also cleared Bancroft to play grade cricket in Perth after overturning a local rule which originally had him banned.

Originally published as Oh Canada! Steve Smith, David Warner could take shock detour in cricket comeback