Australia can win World Cup with Smith and Warner: Shane Warne

Spin legend Shane Warne believes that the Aussies will bounce back in the World Cup with the return of the banned duo

Australia have been toiling very hard on the cricket field since the ousting of former skipper Steve Smith and opener David Warner. Though they managed to win the T20I series against India recently, they have been reeling in the other two formats for a year now. Despite the downfall, spin legend Shane Warne believes that the Aussies will bounce back in the World Cup with the return of the banned duo.

On Wednesday, the legendary former Australian cricketer stated that Steve Smith and David Warner's year-long exile has likely left them hungrier than ever and their return can spark Australia to World Cup glory.

“Sometimes having an enforced lay off—like I'm used to, I had 12 months off myself—what that means is you become really fresh,” said Warne, recalling his ban which was imposed in 2003 after testing positive to banned diuretic drugs.

“You freshen your mind up, you become hungry again and realise how important cricket is to you. That's why I reckon Australia can win the World Cup. They'll walk straight back in, they'll be hungry. They'll be a bit nervous in the first few games but that'll be good for them, they'll be excited and I would expect them to play as good as they always have,” Warne added.

The star pair's ban from state and international cricket for ball-tampering expires later this month and they are expected to be rushed back into the Australian side.

Newly-appointed assistant Australia coach Ricky Ponting echoed similar sentiments recently. Both players are expected to feature at the upcoming Indian Premier League as they tune-up for the World Cup.

Smith only returned to the nets last week from surgery in January after being forced to drop out of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament with a ligament problem.

Warner's injury, sustained at the same event, was less serious and he could play his first game since then for his club side Randwick-Petersham this weekend.