ICC World Cup 2019: IPL Has Helped Steven Smith and David Warner - Aaron Finch

Australia Cricket Team will begin their ICC World Cup 2019 campaign on June 1 (Saturday) when they face Afghanistan at the County Ground in Bristol. Australia will be a side t beat in this tournament with David Warner and Steven Smith back in the team. Both of them have done well leading to the competition, and skipper Aaron Finch feels playing in the IPL has helped Smith and Warner to make a swift comeback.

Warner fit to play in the tournament opener: Finch

Cricket Australia suspended David Warner and Steven Smith in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year. As they gear up to make their international return, both of them will look to use this tournament to re-establish their credentials as a cricketer. Meanwhile, Smith and Warner plied their trade in the IPL to prepare their international return. While Warner finished as the highest run-scorer, Smith has blown hot and cold but has hit the strides since he has worn the Australia jersey.

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Speaking on the eve of their first game, Aaron Finch said that playing David Warner and Steven Smith in the IPL has helped them pick up quickly. Moreover, Finch also added that he was confident that both of the star cricketers would come back stronger.

“I think when you are a world-class player, you adapt again really quickly and you get up to speed. Having them play in the IPL was really important. That’s a higher standard of cricket and it just gets you back up to as close to international competition as you can,” Finch said.

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Meanwhile, Australia were sweating over David Warner’s fitness ahead of the tournament opener. But the star opener has clear the fitness test and will be available for selection. Aaron Finch confirmed the news but restrained himself from divulging the playing XI.

“David is fine. He will play tomorrow, no doubt about that. We are very close to a starting XI but we are not going to name it yet. Everyone is in contention,” Finch concluded.