Australia will not have the services of Steve Smith and David Warner to fall back on during the upcoming four-match Test series against India but the banned duo are doing all they can to get the Australian bowlers in full readiness to counter the threat posed by India skipper Virat Kohli. Smith and Warner, former captain and vice-captain of the Australian team, respectively, were banned for 12 months for their role in the infamous ball-tampering controversy in South Africa.
India are currently in Australia and are being led by run-machine Virat Kohli with many former cricketers and pundits viewing the current tour as the best chance for the visitors to win a Test series Down Under.
Warner was welcomed back on Sunday, spotted in the Sydney Cricket Ground nets facing Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins with coach Justin Langer intently watching on in the umpire’s position.
Fellow pace spearhead Mitchell Starc said Smith had also been asked to help the bowlers get ready this week.
“There’s talking to bowling coaches then there’s talking to the guys you’re bowling to. That’s a great opportunity to have him face us in our preparation leading up to the Tests,” Starc told the Sydney Morning Herald Monday.
“It’ll be great to bowl to him (Smith) in the nets. He’s one of the best in the world, to even get his thoughts on how we’re tracking will always be good for us.”
Both Smith and Warner have been training with their New South Wales team while playing club cricket as they work their way back to fitness and wait for their bans to expire.
