Banned Australia cricketers David Warner and Steve Smith have both made a successful return to club cricket Down Under. The pair received a year-long ban from international and first-class cricket in Australia for their part in the ball-tampering scandal that rocked the Aussies’ tour to South Africa earlier this year.
They are permitted to play club cricket and Smith had already featured in a Canadian Twenty20 tournament although it was their return to action back in Australia that caught the eye.
Warner scored a superb unbeaten 155 as Randwick-Petersham beat St George in Sydney, while ex-Australia skipper Smith made 85 for Sutherland, who lost to Mosman.
Former Baggy Greens all-rounder Shane Watson plays for the same club team as Smith and admitted the public reaction to the fallen hero was positive.
“When he was batting, everyone was really warm with their support, and to be able to see so many people come to a grade game was incredible,” he said.
“It’s awesome to see him playing, even though I’d rather he was playing for Australia. The support he got today will reassure him that everything’s OK, people do make mistakes and people do forgive very quickly.”
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