Steve Smith returned to cricket for the first time since March’s ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town by 61 off 41 balls to help Toronto Nationals beat Vancouver Knights in the first game of the inaugural Global T20 in Canada.
Smith, the former Australia captain, is banned for a year by his country after Cameron Bancroft rubbed sandpaper on the ball against South Africa. He is allowed to play in Canada – among the sleepiest cricketing backwaters – and duly made a quiet comeback at Maple Leaf Cricket Club in King City, Ontario.
Smith made 61 off 41 balls to help Toronto chase down Chris Gayle-led Vancouver’s 227-4. The competition is taking place in slightly ramshackle surrounds but contains some stellar names, with West Indies’ Evin Lewis and Andre Russell underpinning Vancouver’s big score. David Warner, who is also banned for ball-tampering, will make his first appearance for Winnipeg Hawks on Friday.
Smith reflected that he had been making “horrible decisions” in the lead-up to Cape Town but that he felt refreshed by the time off and enjoyed his comeback.
"I've been up and down with my emotions if I'm being honest," he said. "I've had times, particularly watching the boys play in England, and not play as well as they could have and England play extremely well, it was hurting me that I couldn't go out and help them win games.”
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