India vs Australia Test Series 2018: David Warner, Steve Smith Help Australian Pace Trio at the Nets
Last week, Cricket Australia (CA) upheld the bans of Warner and Smith who were handed a one-year suspension following the ball-tampering scandal.
Banned Australian opener David Warner was seen batting in the nets against the fast-bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. The move is to help pacers prepare for the all-important upcoming Test series against India. Not just Warner, Steve Smith too is likely to help the fast-bowlers this week.
The first Test between India and Australia takes place on December 06 in Adelaide and the team is preparing for that. "He's (Smith) someone the three of us have bowled a fair bit to over the last little while at training," Starc told Fairfax Media. India vs Australia, 3rd T20I 2018, Video Highlights: Virat Kohli's Knock Hands IND 6-wicket Win vs Australia, Levels Series 1-1
"To get the view of a batsman who is facing us, get his opinion on how we're tracking, is always great as well. There's talking to bowling coaches then there's talking to the guys you're bowling to. That's a great opportunity to have him face us in our preparation leading up to the Tests," he added.
Starc also revealed when they asked Smith to help them prepare for the Test series, he was more than willing to oblige. "He was around training (Thursday) with the Blues. We said we have a few overs to bowl next week and we said if you want to have a hit he was more than happy to oblige," the pacer said. India tour of Australia 2018-19 Schedule & Results
"It'll be great to bowl to him in the nets. He's one of the best in the world, to even get his thoughts on how we're tracking will always be good for us."
While Smith will turn out at the Australia nets later this week, Warner came in the SCG nets before the third T20I against India on Sunday and faced the Aussie fast bowlers in the nets. Warner appeared in the net session and Cummins and Hazlewood were also seen getting some tips from coach Justin Langer.
Last week, Cricket Australia (CA) upheld the bans of Warner and Smith who were handed a one-year suspension following the ball-tampering scandal in March this year against South Africa. (With PTI inputs).
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2018 11:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).