A longer than usual domestic schedule means there will be a slight opening for Steve Smith and David Warner to make a return to cricket this coming Australian cricket season.
On Thursday, Cricket Australia revealed its schedule for the upcoming 'summer' of cricket which now runs six months plus, coming in a reflection of an expanded KFC Big Bash League.
The JLT One-Day International cup commences in Townsville on September 16 and the JLT Sheffield Shield final begins the following year on March 28 - incidentally falling on the same date that Smith and Warner's one-year ban for ball tampering is lifted.
This means if NSW reach the Shield final, both Smith and Warner could be picked by state selectors to make their return to Australia's domestic cricket scene.
Last season's Shield final was played on March 23 - 27 so it was figured that the banned duo of batsmen wouldn't' be able to return until after the Australian summer.
While the Blues selectors would be hard pressed to not rush the pair into their sides, given their talents, both batsman would be short of match practice at that level. And moreover, would be replacing two players who would have helped drive the NSW side into the final.
Smith and Warner are more than likely to be swayed by Twenty20 leagues around the globe, including South Africa. The pair would understandably be in less than stellar touch early in their comebacks, however.
If the Blues don't reach the Shield final, Smith and Warner will likely seek playing time in the Indian Premier League in April-May in order to work their way into form ahead of Australia's World Cup defence in the UK.
Former Australian Test batsman Mike Hussey this week told cricket.com.au he believes Smith and Warner should return to Australia's first eleven for the World Cup, which commences merely two months after the bans end. That is, as long as they've done all the right things during their suspensions.
"It's hard to say so far out, but the quality of player they are you probably would say they are (walk-up selections)," Hussey said on this week’s episode of The Unplayable Podcast.
"As long as they do everything right in the lead up; they’re in good touch skills-wise, they’re in good fitness, no injury concerns and they’ve done all the right things preparation-wise and behavioural-wise as well, then you’d have to think they’d come straight back in because they’re such quality players."
Both Smith and Warner will make their returns later on this month in Toronto, Canada for Canada's Global T20 Tournament.
