Banned Australian cricketers David Warner and Steve Smith are all set to make a return to the international circuit in the month of March when their one-year bans expire.

Everyone is waiting for these two champion players to take the field once again and take the Australian cricket back to what it was when they were in the squad. But one guy who is really eager to see them donning the Baggy Greens and the colored jersey is none other than legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne.

Speaking about the imminent return of Warner and Smith after their bans, the former Australian cricketer shared that both the players are pure class and they would have to get back to their class as soon as they return in the national side.  

Warne said, “When they return, they immediately have to get back in their class. David Warner is one of the best opening batsmen in the world. Steve Smith, I think probably up there with Virat Kohli. In Test cricket Smith, Kohli, probably AB de Villiers are the three best batsmen in the world, I would say probably Virat at number one in Test cricket, whereas Smith is just a shade behind Virat. Even though he bats like a tailender, he scores an amazing amount of runs and he is hard to get out.”

Adding, “So, Smith and Warner are pure class, they walk straight back in. The Australian public and the worldwide public I think will give them a hard time and the Australian side need to earn the respect back of the cricketing community by the way they play their game.”

The 49-year-old legendary spinner also shared that the team has to see what happens with the elbow injury of Smith. The Australian cricket had successful surgery after he injured his elbow in this recently concluded edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Smith had to leave the tournament and was taken back to Australia for treatment.

Warne concluded, “Yeah, everyone is waiting to see what happens with the elbow and I suppose we will be reacting to how he comes up with his elbow. Well hoping from an Australia point of view. So, if he is fit and raring to go, he will be hungry with a point to prove. So we are just waiting like everybody else and hopefully, he will be okay before the World Cup.”

Smith and Warner will be in contention to be in the national squad in the upcoming series against Pakistan, which starts from February 22.