Australia to manage return of Smith and Warner

Thursday, 7 February 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Australia’s David Warner and Steve Smith leave the pitch after beating South Africa - Reuters

SYDNEY (Reuters): Steve Smith and David Warner will not be rushed back into the Australia side as soon as their bans expire next month but coach Justin Langer thinks it would be “crazy” not to include them in the World Cup squad.

The former test captain and vice-captain, Australia’s best two batsmen, will become eligible for state and international cricket on 29 March after serving one-year bans for their part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal.

The prospective return of both has been complicated by elbow injuries with Smith’s more serious problem requiring major surgery and likely to side-line him right up to the expiration of his ban.

Coach Langer, who will prepare sides for both the World Cup defence and Ashes tour over the next few months, said the timing of their international returns would depend both on the injuries and also on how much cricket they were able to play.

“They’re going to need to get some cricket before coming back into the squad. It’s all part of the management. We’ll have to wait and see,” he said.

“We know it’s been a tough time for them, it’s been a tough time for Australian cricket, but we know the ... integration has been going for the last nine or ten months ... it’s getting closer, isn’t it? And that’ll be a continued process.

“It’s about how much cricket they get to play between now and then. They’ll find opportunities. We’ll find opportunities.

“We’re talking about two great players, we’re not talking about two really good players,” he added. “Two great players who on paper we’d be crazy not to have them in the team.”

With both retained by their franchises for this year’s Indian Premier League beginning on 23 March and Australia playing an ODI series against Pakistan in March-April, there will be plenty of opportunities for them to show their form and fitness.

Australia must select their squad for the World Cup on 23 April and Smith’s agent poured cold water on reports that the former skipper might skip the tournament in favour of preparing for the Ashes with some red ball cricket.

“The intent is that he will play in the IPL and then the World Cup and then the Ashes,” Warren Craig told Cricket Australia’s website.