ZCZC
BSP-03
CRICKET-AUS-SMITH-WARNER-WC-2019
‘Like we never left’ – Smith and Warner back in Aussie cricket fold
MELBOURNE, March 17, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Steve Smith and David Warner have
been welcomed back into the Australian fold with “hugs and cuddles” at a team
meet-up in Dubai, and said it was like they’d never left.
The disgraced pair, whose year-long bans for ball-tampering expire this
month, were invited by coach Justin Langer as part of their re-integration
after the scandal in South Africa that rocked the cricketing world.
Australia are in Dubai as they prepare for an upcoming series against
Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates following their upset one-day series win
against India.
“It’s been awesome. It’s like we didn’t really leave, the boys were very
accepting of us coming in and with open arms,” said Warner in audio comments
supplied to AFP Sunday.
“A lot of big hugs and cuddles. It’s been great.
“It’s good to see the spirit they’re in after a great series win in India
and I am obviously looking forward to watching them play against Pakistan
here and hopefully they win that series as well,” he added.
The “sandpapergate” scandal in Cape Town, which also saw opening batsman
Cameron Bancroft banned for nine months, had far-reaching consequences for
Australian cricket.
Then-coach Darren Lehmann quit and there was a clean-out of top executives
from Cricket Australia after a scathing review said its “arrogant and
controlling” culture was partly to blame for players bending the rules.
Australian cricket has since undergone a host of cultural changes under
Langer, and Warner and Smith were brought up to speed at the meeting on how
it now worked.
“Making sure we’re in line with team values moving forwards,” Warner said
of the meet-up, which also discussed the squad’s preparations for the
upcoming World Cup.
“Obviously (we’ve) been out for 12 months and there has been a big change,
which is great, and it’s about excepting that and playing what our role
should be in the team.”
Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy and is barred from being
considered for any leadership role for a further 12 months after his ban
ends, echoed Warner’s comments.
“It seems like some really good energy among the team at the moment,” he
said.
“It’s great to be back around the group, they’ve been really welcoming and
almost like we’ve never left.”
While the cheating row initially unleashed a torrent of vitriol against
them, that sentiment has eased significantly and they are expected to be
slotted straight back into the team.
Smith said the Dubai catch-up went through “the values that are instilled
in the team at the moment and making sure we are on the right path looking
forward to what’s coming up; a huge World Cup and an Ashes series in
England”.
Both players, who are returning from elbow injuries, are eligible for the
final two games of the Pakistan series. But selectors decided it would be
better to ease themselves back at the upcoming Indian Premier League.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0856 hrs