Steve Smith ready for first test on home soil since ball-tampering ban
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-19/s ... tion=sport
The extra sausages for the canteen have been ordered.
After all, it's not often you get a former Australian cricket captain at the height of his powers strapping on the pads at his home cricket club, with his reputation on the line.
Steve Smith is preparing for his first appearance on home soil since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March, when he plays for Sutherland in Sydney's grade competition this Saturday.
Sutherland skipper Chris Williams, who is preparing to introduce the banned former Australia captain to his new team mates at training this week, says Smith is in a good state of mind.
"I spoke to him while he was in the Caribbean but I didn't want to keep him too long because he was coming back (to Australia) and he only had a week or so to prepare for his wedding," Williams said. "He sounded very happy and relaxed. He said he was looking forward to being part of it. He has got a lot of information, a lot of ways to prepare. He has been around the world's best coaches and is one of the world's best players, so there is a lot to learn."
Smith, whose wedding was held last weekend, is expected to be part of the Sutherland squad for the rest of the year, with half of his original 12-month international and domestic ban now served.
But this rose is an extra. - A. Conan Doyle