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ToggleAustralia Cricket Team have hit the strides at the right time months before the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. The return of David Warner and Steven Smith from suspension will also be a massive advantage for them in the upcoming showpiece event. Smith and Warner have linked with the team earlier this month, and head coach Justin Langer is in awe of both the cricketers.
Langer in awe of Smith and Warner
Steven Smith and David Warner were found guilty of ball-tampering last year during the Cape Town Test in South Africa. Subsequently, Cricket Australia suspended them for one year before reuniting with the team in April. They will look to give their best foot forward when they begin their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on June 1.
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Australia have already reached England and had a light training session. Steven Smith, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey and the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Jason Behrendorff looked in great touch. Justin Langer seemed impressed with Smith saying that he looked like India legend Sachin Tendulkar bat. The former Aussies cricketer featured in the Indian Premier League before reuniting with the Australia side for the World Cup campaign.
“A week ago in Brisbane, [Smith] batted wonderfully, he played an unfathomable shot off Nathan Coulter-Nile there – it was like watching Sachin bat. He’s in pretty good shape I think,” Langer said to cricket.com.au.
Warner in outstanding touch
Furthermore, Justin Langer heaped praise on David Warner for his batting and seemed happy to have him back in the squad. Warner looked in great touch in the IPL for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and finished as the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded IPL. The southpaw finished with 693 runs from 12 matches including one century. He will look to keep up the good work in the World Cup as Australia look to defend the title.
“Just look in his eye, he’s really hungry. He’s a great player we all know. He’s so dynamic, he brings so much energy. That’s all we ask from our players. So, it’s really nice to have him back from the broader prospect,” he concluded.