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Warner and Smith officially make their national returns

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David Warner and Steve Smith are listed to bat at No.3 and 4 for Australia as they make their unofficial returns from year-long suspensions in Brisbane.

Steve Smith and David Warner are making their unofficial returns for Australia from year-long suspensions after being selected to play against New Zealand in their opening World Cup warm-up game in Brisbane.

The former Australian captain and vice-captain are listed to bat at No.4 and No.3 respectively, with Aaron Finch winning the toss and electing to bowl first at Allan Border Field.

It is Smith and Warner’s first time in Australian colours since the Cape Town ball-tampering affair in March 2018.

Australia were clapped onto the field by the small crowd on Monday, with one fan yelling out “welcome back Smithy” as they walked through the gates.

Patrick Cummins wasted no time getting into the groove, taking two wickets in the match’s first over, with a weakened New Zealand XI 2-50 after 14 overs.

Wicketkeeper Tom Latham is captaining the side with star batsman and regular skipper Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Trent Boult all still on IPL duties in India.

Smith, on the comeback from January elbow surgery, spent time at second slip and in the ring while David Warner hovered at mid-on and mid-off.  

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Mitchell Starc has been rested from the first of three warm-up games against the Kiwis as he continues his recovery from a pectoral injury.

Kane Richardson bowled some early overs after being selected as a playing 12th man, in an indication he is being considered if Jhye Richardson (dislocated shoulder) can’t prove his fitness. 

Shaun Marsh is expected to bat at No.5, with Glenn Maxwell out of the side and Usman Khawaja named to resume his opening partnership with skipper Finch.

Australia coach Justin Langer insists there have been no awkward moments since Warner and Smith’s return from what he described as a humbling experience for Australian cricket in South Africa.

While stripped of any official leadership roles, he said the pair would play a big part in Australia’s World Cup defence, which is immediately followed by an Ashes campaign.

Warner was in terrific form in the IPL, scoring 692 runs in 12 innings – including eight fifties and a century.

Langer remained coy on who will open the batting in England, with Warner, Finch and Khawaja all options to face the new ball against Afghanistan on June 1.

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Australia XI: Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson (playing 12th man).

© AAP

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