Cricket Australia Confirms Steve Smith, David Warner Availability For IPL 2019

Finally, the official confirmation comes from the official of Cricket Australia, who revealed that Steve Smith and David Warner will feature in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2019. The duo is currently undergoing rehab process and will be monitored closely during the tournament progress as well.

Smith and Warner were banned for their roles in last year’s Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. Now, they are eligible for selection again on March 29. It means that they can be called up for the fourth ODI against Pakistan. The comeback of the duo will be a great boost for the team in many ways, especially, for ICC World Cup 2019.

The swashbuckling players David Warner and Steve Smith are all set to end their ban period officially on March 29th. It will be the same day, which is scheduled for the 4th ODI game of the bilateral series against Pakistan. However, Aaron Finch quoted that he doesn’t think the duo will play the ODI games against Pakistan.

IPL is the best pathway for them – Trevor Hohns

Speaking of the return, the national selector Hohns quoted that they have felt the best way to enter the competitive cricket for the discarded duo would be IPL. He believes that the Indian Premier League has got the quality, which would certainly help the youngsters to make a statement.

“While their bans will be finished on March 28, Steve and David have been working through rehabilitation from elbow surgery and it has been agreed the best pathway for them to return to play is in the Indian Premier League, a strong competition which features some of the world’s best players,” national selectors chief Trevor Hohns said.

We will monitor the progress:

Further, he added that they will be in touch with the franchise owners of the duo to monitor their progress. Trevor Hohns also confirmed that they will be looking to prepare them for the upcoming grand event followed by Ashes Trophy.

“David will play with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Steve with Rajasthan Royals. Cricket Australia will continue to liaise with both Steve, David and their IPL clubs to monitor progress as we build towards the ICC World Cup and the Ashes.”

However, the news of the duo returning to cricket field is a piece of positive news for the team who are waiting for them to join the ranks as they embark on their journey to defend the ICC World Cup title in England later this year.