Smith and Warner in deal fears

STEVE Smith and David Warner could miss out on million-dollar Cricket Australia contracts next month and instead be made to re-earn their status after their bans expire.

The formal reintegration of the suspended pair lifted a gear on Friday and Saturday when they met coach Justin Langer and players from the one-day team in the UAE.

They had dinner on Friday night, then meetings on Saturday where Smith and Warner, who are eligible to play for Australia again on March 29, were made aware of the “values and behaviours” instilled in the national team by Langer.

Warner, who has mingled with players including Smith at NSW training in recent times, said it was “like we didn’t really leave” after meeting with those players likely be teammates at the World Cup.

The dynamic batsman, who has flown to India for the Indian Premier League with Smith, conceded it was important the pair accepted their new roles in a new team.

“Being out for 12 months there has been a big change, which is great. It’s about accepting that and playing what our role in the team should be moving forward. Making sure we are aligned with the team values,” Warner said.

Those changes include the emergence of several players who may keep Warner and Smith out of Australia’s firstchoice team for the World Cup and also demand CA contracts.

There is debate about where Smith and Warner should be ranked when the contracts are awarded on April 12, or if they should get one at all. Smith and Warner will play a huge role for the team in the next 12 months in both the World Cup and Ashes. But contracts are seen as a reward for efforts in the previous 12 months.