Smith, Warner make smashing Oz return
DISGRACED cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner made stunning returns to Australian cricket on Saturday, with the pair both notching up big scores in front of some of the largest grade-level crowds the country has seen.
Former captain Smith (picpictured, AFP) looked as though ugh he had not missed a beat, with a classy 85 off 92 deliveries s for Sutherland against Mosman n in the New South Wales grade. e.
He was greeted with loud oud applause from hundreds of fans when he walked out to the pitch itch at Sydney’s Glenn McGrath rath Oval, supporters delighted d to see a return of his trademark mark fidgeting at crease.
“It’s awesome to see him playing,” Sutherland teammate mate Shane Watson told Cricket ket Australia’s official website. “I’d prefer him to be playing for Australia, but the support that he got, the warm applause when he scored runs and also when he got out shows that ever yone i s supporting him.”
Some 30km (19 miles) north at Coogee Oval, former Australian vice-captain Warner smashed a century from 98 balls in his Australia return for club side Randwick-Petersham against St George.
The impressive innings included a huge six hit out of the ground, t o the delight o f h u n d re d s crammed ground.
“It’s great to have him back,” cricket fan Kim Perry sai said. “He’s a great entertainer for A Australian cricket.”
Both players to took time o u t i n b e t wee n innings t to pose f o r p h o t o s a n d c h a t with fans, on a charm offens offensive as they seek redempre tion for their part in th the balltampering scandal a against South Africa in March.
The pair are s ser v ing one-yea r suspensions suspe from internation internationa l and s t at e c r i ic c k e et t f or o t he s c a nda l, wh i le o opener Ca meron Ba nc r of t wa s o f into o n l o o k e r s the small banned for nine months.
“I think they will probably welcome [Smith and Warner] back after they’ve done their time – not before,” said 82-yearold cricket fan Don Sounders.
Smith and Warner are expected to spend more time at their respective grade-level clubs in New South Wales this summer if they decide not to join the new Twenty20 competition in the UAE.
Pakistan see off Afghans
Meanwhile, experienced batsman Shoaib Malik hit a six and a boundary to pull off a sensational last over three wicket win for Pakistan against a spirited Afghanistan in the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Malik pulled the second ball of the final over by paceman Aftab Alam over the deep square leg boundary and then hit the next to deep fine leg for a boundary as Pakistan pulled off a nerve-racking win in 49.3 overs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Pakistan, cashing a stiff 258run target, were home and dry to start the Super Four Stage with a much needed win and now face arch rivals India in Dubai on Sunday.
Ha s h ma t u l l a h S h a h i d i missed out on a maiden hundred by a mere three runs but still steered Afghanistan to a challenging 257-6.
India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in Dubai and were to meet Pakistan on Sunday, also in Dubai. Afghanistan and Bangladesh were to play in Abu Dhabi on the same day.
Top two teams from the Super Four Stages will play the final in Dubai on Friday.