Smith returns to play Sheffield Shield

Sydney, October 7

Australia batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner will play their first domestic Sheffield Shield matches in almost two years when they turn out for New South Wales against Queensland on Thursday. 

Neither player has appeared in a four-day Shield match since November, 2017 when both also appeared for New South Wales against Queensland. The pair missed all of the 2018-19 season while serving 12-month suspensions for their role in the March 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. They were named to play for New South Wales in the first round of the 2019-20 season along with Australia teammate Mitchell Starc. 

Smith and Warner returned to Test cricket during the Ashes series in England in August-September. — AP