Steve Smith arrives in Canada ahead of the inaugural GT20 Canada

After 3 months of exile from the game, former Australia captain Steve Smith is set to be back on the field as he has reached Canada for the Global T20 Canada. He was signed up by the Toronto Nationals franchise in the second round of the draft. The league kicks off on June 28 and this is the first time Smith, as well as David Warner, will play any cricket after the ball-tampering scandal during South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test in Cape Town.

He was supposed to lead Rajasthan Royals franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) who had retained him, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sticking to Cricket Australia’s 12-month ban didn’t allow Smith and Warner to feature in the 11th edition of the tournament. The duo along with Cameron Bancroft (banned for 9 months) who actually used the sandpaper on the ball cannot play any international and domestic cricket in the period.

GT20 Canada posted a picture of Smith on their Twitter handle to announce his arrival.

Here’s the post:

@stevesmith49 is here and all smiles. #6sInThe6ix #GT20Canada @canadiancricket pic.twitter.com/H8udJTe0nm

— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) June 26, 2018

Smith was earlier this week in New York hunting for apartments. He checked out places in celebrity-studded neighbourhoods of the city. After a long day searching for a suitable place to live, he went to an Irish bar and had a few beers. A few Australians who were also there spotted the former captain and were rather surprised to see him there all by himself.

As per the witnesses he looked very quiet and had a pretty lonely look. Smith was engaged in his phone all the while and gulped down the beer. They clicked pictures and even shot a short video of him drinking.

Along with Smith, Warner has also reached Canada and he will be playing for Winnipeg Hawks. He posted a story on Instagram to notify his followers about the same.

Here is his post:

Smith, who was along with the other two ripped off his contract by Cricket Australia has made a decision to donate the match fees he earns from the GT20 Canada League to cricket projects back home and in Canada.

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