Pat Cummins Eager to Welcome David Warner, Steven Smith Back

Australia pacer, Pat Cummins is keen to welcome Steven Smith and David Warner in the team saying it feels like the banned duo have already spent five years away from cricket.

Meanwhile, the disgraced duo still have nine months left to complete their year-long bans handed by Cricket Australia (CA).

The ban came for their role ball-tampering scandal during the Cape Town Test early this year. The terms of those CA sanctions dictate the batsmen can’t play for their country, state or a Big Bash League franchise.

Although there have been speculations about softening the punishment, however, CA has cleared their stance. CA recently insisted that is not possible under the code of conduct.

Cummins noted he would love to have them on the team. He also lauded them for handling themselves impressively during this tumultuous times.

“I’d love to see it. I’m not sure how realistic it is, but as a player, I’d love to have them in any team I’m in … and as a fan, I’d love to see it,” Cummins told AAP.

“It’s only been a couple of months since South Africa, but it feels like it’s been about five years they haven’t played. I’ve felt for them, the whole time.

It’s been really hard seeing some of the things written about them by people who don’t know them. The way they’ve handled themselves has been incredibly impressive in pretty unprecedented circumstances. I can’t wait to have them back,” he added.

Cummins, who is nursing an injury, admitted the progress is a bit slower than he expected. In conclusion, the seamer admitted he would be ready for the Pakistan series in October.

“As long as there are no hiccups in the building-up stage … we should all be right for the UAE,” he concluded.

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