Steve Smith and David Warner eventually see their year-long ban ending

Thursday is set to be an important milestone in the careers of Australian cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner as their year-long ban imposed in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year concludes on the day. A lot has happened in Australian cricket in this last one year and both Smith and Warner have seen the harsher side of the game.

Rookie batsman Cameron Bancroft was also handed a ban of nine months since he was found in the middle of a plot hatched by others. Darren Lehmann stepped down as the coach while several cricket officials resigned in this period with the current administration left with a crucial job of regaining the trust of the fans who were left shocked before the entire world.

Warner made a terrific comeback to IPL; Smith not quite

Smith and Warner, however, played franchise cricket while serving the ban. Currently, both players are taking part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) which they missed last year. However, while Warner made a terrific comeback to the tournament scoring a 53-ball 85 for his side Sunrisers Hyderabad against Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals’ Smith could not do the same as he got out for just 20 against Kings XI Punjab. Both players are also making a comeback after a stint with injuries.

Speculation is now on whether the two accomplished players will make it to Australia’s squad for the World Cup starting in England in May. The duo has not been considered for the Kangaroos’ ongoing ODI series against Pakistan and one theory said that the Australian selectors are keen to prepare them more for the Ashes that will follow the World Cup in August-September.

The two met the Australian side in the UAE a few weeks ago and it was a happy occasion. “There were a lot of big hugs and cuddles. It’s like we didn’t really leave, the boys were very accepting of us coming in and with open arms,” Warner was found saying in a curated video published by Cricket Australia.

The ghosts of Newlands have not yet disappeared fully (both Smith and Warner have been jeered time and again by spectators) but Australia know that the only way forward to bury the ghosts once for all is by winning games, series and whatever that come their way. Winning the World Cup for the sixth time will be even better.

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