‘It’s all rosy’ for Australia as Warner, Smith rejoin

Friday, 3 May 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pat Cummins, David Warner and Mitchell Starc thank the crowd – Getty Images

ESPNCricinfo: There is no apprehension about having the in-form David Warner back in the Australia squad ahead of the World Cup, according to Mitchell Starc.

There was no evidence of bad blood between Warner and his team-mates as he arrived in Brisbane for Australia’s pre-World Cup training camp. Steven Smith arrived separately from the IPL.

Warner and Smith did spend some time with Australia’s ODI squad on the tour of the UAE prior to the IPL but Starc was not on that tour.

Cricket Australia’s interim high performance manager Belinda Clark and CA leadership consultant Tim Ford have already held a meeting with Starc, Warner, Smith and Josh Hazlewood to outline some things prior to the pre-tournament camp. Hazlewood is not part of the 15-man squad but is on standby and will be in the Australia A squad that will be in England during the World Cup. Starc said the ball-tampering saga and any issues surrounding the reintegration of Warner and Smith were hardly discussed.

“The meeting I was involved in with Steve, Dave and Josh Hazlewood, along with Tim Ford and Belinda Clark, 95% was not about Dave and Steve and the group,” Starc said.

“It was more about where the team was going. There wasn’t anything spoken about those two in particular, it was more the team and what we are focused on moving forward. I’m sure it was similar to the group meeting they had over in the UAE. We have another meeting this afternoon and I am sure it will be brought up there. But it’s all rosy.”

Starc said he was excited by the prospect of having Warner back at the top of the order after his barnstorming IPL where he left as the tournament’s leading run scorer. Warner made a staggering 692 runs in 12 innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad including a century and eight half-centuries, striking at 143.86.

“I’ve seen some of the highlights and some of the scores and he’s been on fire over there along with Steve, so that’s great for him, great for the group,” Starc said. “He’s a world-class player, we’re excited to have him back in the group and hopefully he can continue that form into the World Cup.”

Australia captain Aaron Finch said he would certainly utilise Smith and Warner during the World Cup due to their vast leadership experience despite the fact both men are still banned from official leadership positions within Australian cricket. Smith is unable to hold a leadership post for another 12 months while Warner was banned from leadership positions for the remainder of his career in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.