Steve Smith Eligible to Lead Australia After 2-Year Ban

Published 03/29/2020, 8:22 AM EDT

This Sunday brought some pleasant news for Steve Smith. The two-year leadership ban on Steve Smith finally ended on March 29,2020 (Sunday).

Steve Smith and David Warner were suspended for one year from any form of international cricket due to their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Both made a comeback in the international cricket last year with World Cup 2019.

During a test match against South Africa in Cape town in 2018, Smith and Warner were found guilty for changing the condition of the ball using sandpaper. However, they were caught in the CCTV cameras after which Cricket Australia banned the duo from playing cricket for one year.

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The scandal also resulted in the resignation of coach Darren Lehmann and the departure of Cricket Australia’s chief executive, James Sutherland.

Steve Smith’s punishment also included a two-year ban from any leadership role which has now expired. This makes Steve free to captain the Australian team again. Though Warner remains in a lifelong leadership ban.

However, things are not easy for Smith now. Tim Paine has very well proved himself as a test captain for the Australian cricket team. Also, the 35-year-old doesn’t have any plans for retirement soon.

Talking about T20 and ODI, Aaron Finch is the skipper of the Australian team in both formats. He has successfully handled the team under his leadership.

Steve Smith talks about IPL 2020

Smith told Channel Nine television on Sunday that he is trying to stay physically and mentally fit during the coronavirus shutdown of Australian cricket.

BCCI has suspended the IPL 2020 till April 15 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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With India in a three-week lockdown in a bid to contain a spread of the virus, Smith admitted the IPL appeared unlikely to go ahead.

“I think the country’s shut its borders until the 15th of April,” he said.

“It’s obviously not looking likely at the moment, I think there might be some meetings over the next couple of days to discuss what the go is with it all.

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He further added, “But just trying to stay physically fit and mentally fresh. If it goes ahead at some point, then great. If not, then there’s plenty going on in the world at the moment. Just play it day by day.”

Coronavirus has affected the schedule of Australian cricket also. The three-match ODI series against New Zealand was canceled just after one game.

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Steve Smith Eligible to Lead Australia After 2-Year Ban

Steve Smith talks about IPL 2020

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