Smith, Warner join Australia training session for 1st time since ball-tampering incident

The duo was welcomed back into the national fold for a pre-World Cup camp in Brisbane after serving year-long suspensions for their part in the ‘sandpapergate’ scandal

After a long gap of one year, former Australian skipper Steve Smith and opener David Warner re all set to don the national jersey in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup. The duo was welcomed back into the national fold last week for a pre-World Cup camp in Brisbane after serving year-long suspensions for their part in the ‘sandpapergate’ scandal in Cape Town that rocked the sport. Both have been hampered by viruses since returning from the Indian Premier League but took part in net sessions on Sunday ahead of the first of three practice games against New Zealand beginning on Monday.

🔊 Sound up! Steve Smith was straight into the action against Mitchell Starc and co at his first net session back in the Australian team. Oi yah! @alintaenergy pic.twitter.com/ReDlCzZOJx

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) May 5, 2019

Coach Justin Langer on Friday insisted there was ‘no tension’ between the pair and the rest of the squad, adding: “They're back in the team now. They've been selected, which is brilliant.” Maxwell also denied any awkward moments, saying it had been “business as usual”. “The way they came in (to the dressing room), we wanted to hear how they had enjoyed the IPL; wanted to hear how Davey enjoyed his time opening the batting with (England's Jonny) Bairstow (for Sunrisers Hyderabad),” he said.

Some familiar mannerisms as Steve Smith returns to the nets at Australia’s World Cup camp pic.twitter.com/zzPIJ1gCaA

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) May 5, 2019

The team has been in red-hot form, winning eight one-day internationals on the trot, against India and Pakistan, built on a flourishing opening partnership between Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja. A key decision for Langer is whether to retain that combination or move one of them down to make way for Warner, who traditionally opens the batting, with the line-up for Monday's game potentially answering that question.