Smith on verge of return

EMILY Smith, the young Tasmanian banished by Cricket Australia over an Instagram prank, will make her return from an anti-corruption ban this weekend in Melbourne.

The Hurricanes wicketkeeper was suspended from all levels of the game for three months at the start of the summer over an innocent joke she made on social media.

Cricket Australia acknowledged her actions were in no way linked to corruption, but despite lobbying from Shane Watson and the players’ association to have the heavy ban reduced over mitigating circumstances, administrators stood by the game’s strict code of conduct protocols.

Smith was left devastated by the potential impact of the much publicised suspension on her career as a fringe member of the Hurricanes squad, and as it stands she does not have a contract for next summer’s WBBL season.

But after a stressful three months, she is free to return to playing the game she loves.

Smith is expected to turn out for her club side Essendon-Maribyrnong Park on Saturday at Aberfeldie Park in a 50over match against Prahran.