SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Warner and Smith hit form in grade cricket

Banned former Australian cricket leaders Steve Smith and David Warner have piled on the runs on day one of the Sydney grade cricket season.

David Warner in action for Randwick Petersham
David Warner scored 155 not out off 152 balls for Randwick-Petersham in Sydney grade cricket. (AAP)

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

David Warner has hit an unbeaten century and Steve Smith scored 85 as Australian cricket's banned former leaders prospered on day one of the Sydney grade season.

Former captain Smith also took 1-29 off five overs and two catches for Sutherland on Saturday in his first cricket match in Australia since being banned for his involvement in the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.

Former vice-captain David Warner, who was also slapped with a year-long ban for his involvement in the incident, scored 155 not out off 152 balls for Randwick-Petersham.

The presence of Australia's two most prolific Test batsmen generated big crowds at both venues.

About 1000 turned up at Glenn McGrath Oval, including the legendary former quick the ground is named after.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Several hundred were present at Coogee Oval, where canteen sales were so brisk that club officials had to bring in more beer.

Warner struck 13 fours and a couple of sixes in a perfectly paced innings as his team reached their target of 278 off the final ball.

He faced an attack including two Test bowlers in Josh Hazlewood and Trent Copeland, with the former taking 1-30 off eight overs in his first game after a back injury.

"(Warner) played really well. He's very good in those situations ... a pretty special knock," said Hazlewood, who expects to return to NSW duty in the one-day cup on October 1.

Asked if he exchanged any banter with Warner, Hazlewood said "it was pretty quiet. He was just going about his business and knuckled right down and got the result, which is what he was after."

Like Smith, Warner won't be eligible to play international cricket again until early next year.

"He's obviously a very good player. It''s about putting in place a culture that can fit him back in and hopefully he plays his best cricket when he does come back," Hazlewood said.

"It's still a long way away. He's got some batters in there that he has to push out that are doing well so we'll see when the time comes."

Smith was dropped early in his 92-ball innings but tallied six fours and a six. Like Warner, he top-scored for his club.

"He batted nicely. You could see he was very much in the zone," said Smith's former international teammate Shane Watson.

"He was always going to come out and do well. He's obviously got plenty of desire inside him.""

Smith and Warner, who didn't speak to the media after their matches, were greeted with warm applause when going out to bat.

"The support that he has got today will just reassure (Smith) that everything is OK," said Watson, who couldn't play alongside Smith due to injury.

"People do make mistakes and then people do forgive and certainly forgive very quickly."


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world