• Steve Smith to play with Steve Waugh’s son

    Banned Australian batsman Steve Smith will play alongside former captain Steve Waugh’s son, Austin, later this month.

    Smith is currently serving a Cricket Australia-imposed ban in the wake of the ball-tampering saga that rocked the Test series against South Africa earlier this year.

    The suspension, however, does not disallow Smith from participating in club cricket.

    Smith and Waugh junior will play for Sutherland Cricket Club against Mosman Cricket Club at the Glenn McGrath Oval on Saturday.

    ‘I don’t want to comment particularly on Austin, but it’ll be a great experience for all young players involved,’ Waugh senior told the Australian Associated Press.

    ‘It’s a huge opportunity and it’s going to fast-track their learning so much.

    ‘I don’t know Steve that well personally, but watching from the sidelines, you know he’s not going to sell himself short in terms of preparation, commitment, dedication and passion. That will all be there, no matter where he’s playing.’

    Former vice-captain David Warner was also involved in the ball-tampering debacle and like Smith, he was also banned from international cricket for 18 months.

    ‘Hopefully, I can teach some of the young guys the game, help them learn,’ Smith said in a video published by the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

    ‘If I can pass on any information to these young guys coming through and help them turn into better players, I’ll do that.’

    Image: Getty

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    Jonhenry Wilson