Smith, Warner to rejoin Aussie one-day squad
Alex Carey can’t wait to catch up with Steve Smith and David Warner later this week, insisting the suspended duo’s reintegration has been well timed.
Banned duo Smith and Warner will link up with Australia’s ODI cricket squad in Dubai on their way to the Indian Premier League.
Smith and Warner have been semi-regulars at New South Wales training during their exile while remaining in close contact with some team-mates and coach Justin Langer, but the UAE meeting represents a major milestone.
The one-day stopover will be the first time the former captain and vice-captain join a national squad since copping year-long bans for their role in the Cape Town cheating scandal.
Carey, who was appointed limited-overs vice-captain in the wreckage of the sandpaper saga, believes the timing of the visit will ensure it isn’t a distraction or disruption.
‘‘It was always going to come but to have [it occur during] a couple of days off in Dubai, it’s not a bad time to get them around the group,’’ Carey said in Delhi, ahead of the ODI series decider against India last night.
‘‘I’ve got really good relationships with both of those guys, so does Finchy [captain Aaron Finch], JL [Langer] and most of the players.
‘‘I don’t think there will be too many concerns having those guys around the group. I’m looking forward to catching up with them.’’
Smith, who is confident he’ll be fit for the start of the IPL, and Warner, who recently scored a grade-cricket ton in his return from injury, will have cleared out before Australia resume training for their first ODI against Pakistan on March 22. The IPL is scheduled to start two days later.
The meetings are expected to focus on the new team culture that Langer has fostered since his appointment last year – and regularly been in discussions with both Smith and Warner about.
Carey is unsure what Langer has in store when Smith and Warner front team-mates.
‘‘We’ll probably sit down in the room and just talk cricket. I’m sure it will be quite informal,’’ Carey said.
‘‘Obviously they’ve been out of the mix for quite a little while . . . it’s going to be a great opportunity for them and for us as players to get around them.’’
Langer and Cricket Australia were keen for Smith and Warner to break the ice prior to joining the World Cup training camp in Brisbane in early May. Australia are scheduled to play a New Zealand XI who will be missing their IPL players in three unofficial 50-over matches during that camp.
The stopover had been a wellkept secret until yesterday’s revelation..