Smith, Warner make smashing return to Australian cricket
Sydney, Australia - 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 looked as though he had not a missed beat, with a classy 85 of 92 deliveries for Sutherland against Mosman in New South Wales grade cricket. He was greeted with loud applause from hundreds of fans when he walked out to the pitch at Sydney's Glenn McGrath Oval, supporters delighted to see a return of his trademark fidgeting at crease.
"It's awesome to see him playing," Sutherland teammate Shane Watson told Cricket Australia's official website.
"The support he [Smith] got today shows everyone makes mistakes and that people do forgive. How Steve has handled it is how you'd expect from someone who cherishes playing for Australia; appreciates the privilege that he's had. This is just another step along the way for him most importantly getting back in the Australian team."
Some 30km north at Coogee Oval, former Australian vice-captain Warner smashed a ton from 98 balls in his Australia return for club side RandwickPetersham against St George.
The impressive innings included a huge six hit out of the ground, to the delight of hundreds of onlookers crammed into the small ground. Warner reached the milestone when he clipped St George's Josh Hazlewood, who was returning from injury, behind square leg. He celebrated his century with his trademark leap in front of his family. Both players took time out in between innings to pose for photos and chat with fans, on a charm offensive as they seek redemption for their part in the ball-tampering scandal against South Africa in March.
The pair are serving one-year suspensions from international and state cricket for the scandal, while opener Cameron Bancroft was banned for nine months.
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.
Warner and Smith will be pleased to have scored runs after particularly lean stints in the Global T20 Canada and the subsequent CPL.
They will continue to play grade cricket and are set to go head-to-head at Coogee Oval in November. They will not feature in the Sheffield Shield, though, after New South Wales opted against challenging the ban imposed by Cricket Australia.