Mickey Arthur expects Steve Smith to return stronger but is unsure of David Warner

03/30/2018

Former Australia coach Mickey Arthur has said that Steve Smith will definitely make a strong comeback but isn’t too sure about David Warner. He is also hopeful that Australia can bounce back from the ball-tampering saga and also felt that world cricket needs a fit and firing Australian team.

The ball-tampering saga that started in Cape Town last week has matured into one of the biggest scandals in cricketing history now, with Cricket Australia suspending star players Steve Smith and David Warner for one year and Cameron Bancroft for nine months as a punishment.

It was followed by a gut-wrenching press conference by Steve Smith on Thursday that saw the former skipper breaking down into tears several times. Everyone in the cricketing fraternity has sympathized with him over the last few hours and the latest to join the list if Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur.

Arthur has stated that he would expect Smith to overcome the challenge to return to the international level faster, although the former Australian coach also cast a doubt over Warner’s return.

“I feel desperately sorry for Smith. I know he eats, sleeps and drinks cricket. He loves cricket and everything he did. He loved the job, he was passionate about the job. I think he was a very good leader and an unbelievable cricketer,” Mickey Arthur said, as reported by News18.

“I definitely see the return of Smith, without a doubt. He will be there, he will serve his time, he will train hard and he will come back stronger. Davey Warner, I am not a hundred percent sure,” Arthur said.

Arthur, who was Australia’s previous coach, was disappointed with the team’s behavior like everyone else that has brought a lot of criticism to Australia.

“I have been disappointed at the behavior of the Australian team over a last couple of years, to be honest. I think that they felt they are almost above everybody else so that's been disappointing because they are a good enough cricket team, they are skilled enough cricketers to win games without resorting to the kind of tactics they have,” Arthur added.

The current Pakistan coach also felt that Australia have got a ‘reality check’ through this, but also stated that the world cricket would require Australia fit and firing.

“They need to play hard but they need to play fair. The verbal sledging and we have seen scuffles in tunnels and faux pas on the field and now the ball-tampering, and I think that has just gone a little bit too far. I think this is a reality check for them and hopefully it does Australian cricket some good and they rebound back from it because the cricket world needs Australia fit and firing because they are a hell of a good team when they are,” the 49-year-old added.

Mickey Arthur expects Steve Smith to return stronger but is unsure of David Warner

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