Lesson learnt in duo’s return

JUSTIN Langer wants David Warner and Steve Smith to be leaders without titles but admits they must show humility to adjust to their demoted status in Australian cricket.

The Australian World Cup squad had its first training session in Brisbane yesterday after a team meeting the previous day discussed the road forward, which will feature the return of Smith and Warner.

The duo were captain and vice-captain before being banned for a year for the balltampering scandal.

Smith will spend the first year of his return banned from the captaincy while Warner has been banned from ever holding a leadership post.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc is expected to make the Cup despite a pectoral injury, while coach Langer is less confident over fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who dislocated his shoulder against Pakistan in March.

Langer is relishing the prospect of having Smith and Warner back but could not mask the fact that the two faced a challenge to adjust to life without having the team’s steering wheel in their hands.

“I always talk about leadership – whether it is titled or untitled – that all our players are leaders,’’ Langer said

“They are natural leaders ... we will draw on their experience on and off the field. We would be crazy not to but there are going to be challenges for both of them.

“When you have come from a titled position of captain and then you are not, there is going to be a certain degree of humility that comes with that.

“One of our really strong values is humility. It would be a great opportunity for them to develop that.

“I do know we had a very humbling experience (the ball tampering scandal) and we brought it on ourselves. I still have that vision of Steve almost being frogmarched out of South Africa. It is sad vision.’’

Langer expected the duo to quickly settle into the team.

“There is no tension. Honestly. We are so excited to have the boys back,” he said.

“It is a bit like facing fast bowling. You worry about it until you get out there then it is not that bad. The same with the boys coming back.’’

Langer made no commitment that Warner would return as an opening batsmen despite the exceptional form of Usman Khawaja.

“It’s awesome to have options. The way Ussie and Finchy (Aaron Finch) batted together in ... the last few oneday series was brilliant.

“Dave Warner is obviously a world-class opening batsmen. Shaun Marsh has been good at three and Steve Smith can probably bat wherever he likes.”