Steve Smith all set to return to competitive cricket

Former Australian Captain Steve Smith could make his return to competitive cricket early next month in a T20 tournament in Toronto.

Earlier this year, the cricketer was handed a one-year ban from representing his state’s or country’s side because of his involvement in ball tampering in the series against South Africa. According to a report on cricket.com.au, Smith might feature in the Global T20 Canada tournament.

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Reportedly, the organizers of the tournament have approached the cricketer to feature in the tournament which is from 28 June to 16 July. The tournament will have six teams with a minimum of four Canadian players in each squad.

So, there is a need for a lot of foreign players. The six competing teams are Caribbean All-Stars, Toronto Nationals, Montreal Tigers, Ottawa Royals, Vancouver Knights and Winnipeg Hawks. All matches will be played at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, 40km north of downtown Toronto in King City.

However, the Australian board seems to support the move if the cricketer wants to play in the tournament. The ICC gave the green signal to this league earlier in the year in February.

After the ban, Smith spent time in the United States before returning to Australia last week. While his comeback to the game is yet to be finalized, his teammates David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have declared their comeback last week.

Warner along with Smith was handed a one-year ban for being the mastermind of the ball tampering incident. The reports revealed that it was Warner who taught Cameron how to tamper the ball with the sandpaper. However, Cameron was handed a 9-month ban by the Australian board.

All three players must also complete 100 hours of community service as part of their punishment, which Warner has already started to achieve after he spent time in Darwin at a Power Hitting clinic with Northern Territory women and girls.