Steve Smith 'excited' to play at home post international cricket ban

Ahead of the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, Australia's star batsman, Steve Smith on Friday said that he is excited to play against Sri Lanka in front of the home crowd in Australia. Following his ban from international cricket after he was charged of ball-tampering, the former Australian captain will be playing in front of home crowd after a period of one year. Smith, recently made his comeback to international cricket with this year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and the Ashes series, both in England. Regarded as one of the best batsmen currently, the former skipper proved his class as he notched up 772 runs in the Ashes series this year and climbed places to secure the number one spot on the ICC Test Ranking even though he was barred from playing international cricket for a year. 

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"It is a great honour to play for Australia," says Steve Smith

The former Australian skipper on Friday said that he was excited to play against Sri Lanka in Australia. Smith said, "Every time you walk out to play for Australia, it is a great honour and to be playing back here after a long time in Australia, I am excited." Australia is scheduled to play two back-to-back home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively, with the first T20 to be played against Lanka on October 27. Smith also reflected upon his role in the ICC WT20 Championship next year and said that you would expect players to be rested for big tournaments in the shortest format, however, that might change. "With the World Cup in just a year's time, these matches will help us gain continuity. It is a great opportunity for the 14 guys picked to have a continuity, going towards the World Cup and working together to be a part of the team. It starts here this summer, we’ve got six games straight and I am hopeful," he added. 

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Australia's summer schedule

After retaining the Ashes urn, Australia's home summer starts with a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, beginning 27 October in Adelaide and the team will go on to play three T20Is and two Tests against Pakistan. Australia will also miss fast bowler Andrew Tye against Sri Lanka, as he picked up an elbow injury. New South Wales' Sean Abbott has been called in as a replacement for the injured paceman, and he will join the squad on Monday ahead of the second T20I.

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