While Australia continue their World Cup preparations next week with a five-match ODI series in the UAE, banned superstars Steve Smith and David Warner will be returning to elite cricket in the Indian Premier League.
Not long ago, that gun pair were expected to walk straight back into Australia’s World Cup XI, but now the situation is less clear due to injuries they have suffered and the good form of a host of other Aussie batsmen.
Smith and Warner reportedly will meet with Australia’s ODI squad in the UAE en route to India, where the IPL will start a week from today.
Nine Entertainment yesterday reported that their first training session back with the Australian team is expected to be in seven or eight weeks from now when a World Cup training camp will be held in Brisbane.
That same article said Smith and Warner may also play in a couple of World Cup practice matches against New Zealand to be held in Brisbane.
In the meantime, that pair both will return from elbow surgeries to play in the IPL, Smith for the Rajasthan Royals and Warner for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
They could get as many as 12 IPL matches under their belt before Australia’s May training camp. That is in fact very decent preparation for the World Cup. Yes, it is in a different format, but Smith and Warner are both very experienced one-day cricketers, with more than 100 ODIs to their name. They won’t have forgotten how to construct a 50-over innings. Instead what they need now is a chance to build form against high-level international bowling, which is just what they will face in the IPL.
Smith and Warner will tackle many of the world’s best white-ball bowlers during this tournament, which is by far the highest quality T20 league in the world. They will encounter nine most of the world’s top 15 ranked ODI bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah, Rashid Khan, Trent Boult, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Mujeeb Zadran, Imran Tahir and Mohammad Nabi.
Australia’s two best batsmen are out of action for the foreseeable.(AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD)
These are the very same bowlers they will have to tame in the World Cup if Australia are to defend their trophy. In the IPL they will be buffeted by not just some of the world’s star fast bowlers but also by the best white-ball spinners on the planet.
What’s more is that Smith and Warner will be encountering these elite bowlers in foreign conditions before huge crowds. When you consider all of that it is in fact a very good trial run to prepare for the World Cup – as good as they could possibly have hoped for in the circumstances.
Both men have fantastic career records in the IPL. Across 69 IPL matches Smith has averaged 37 while maintaining a good scoring rate of 7.9 runs per over.
Warner, meanwhile, is one of the best batsmen in IPL history. The left-hander was the league’s leading runscorer in two of his past three seasons and has a career average of 41 at a brilliant scoring rate of 8.5 runs per over.
The IPL is a fiercely difficult league in which many highly rated international stars have tanked. So if Smith and Warner can flourish in this competition, it will be a great indication they are ready to roll for the World Cup.
bobbo7
Guest
A bit rough dropping blokes who just won a series in India - who they going to replace? And what if they come and an don't make runs which I quite possible. They are very good players but for the first time in a while the ODI squad was starting to look good.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Cheers Bart, I agree that the talk Australia don't need Smith and Warner in ODIs anymore is a very knee-jerk reaction. They are Australia's two best and most experienced ODI batsmen - the idea that they won't need them to win a World Cup is baffling to me. Of course they do need to show some form in the IPL.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That would not be an issue in any way. Top sport is not like that. They will love being back playing at that level and the team will love having them back.
Bartparteeoo
Guest
They will both be hungry for runs and a legitimate pass back into the Aussie team. Australia needs them both , I’m not convinced that the win against the Indians is a true indication of the form of the team. The poor form of Finch has to be addressed also , he can’t be a passenger in a WC campaign. Keep up the good work Ronan , your a very good “ Sports” writer mate , and I respect the fact that you don’t offer any other distractions within your articles.
dan in devon
Guest
There is of course deeper issue of 'reintegration.' Now that the ODI team have established some winning form, their immediate inclusion may ruffle some feathers especially if they fail to perform. A few losses and the cracks will surface quickly. Given the seniority that both batsmen previously enjoyed in Australian cricket, they will also have to readjust to very different roles within the team. This has the potential to be messy.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Exactly Paul, for guys of the quality of Smith and Warner they just need a "tune up" against high level bowling like this to get them humming again in time for the World Cup.
Paul
Roar Guru
It will be interesting to see how well both guys can play after a long layoff. I don't think scores are critical to judging these guys but rather, how are their feet moving, how quickly are they picking up the ball, etc. Hopefully both show good form - it makes bringing them into the side a whole lot easier if they're hitting the ball well.