Former Australia coach Mickey Arthur said he expected Steve Smith to recover from the ball-tampering scandal which has left him with a lengthy ban – but added that he wasn’t so sure about co-conspirator David Warner.
Smith and Warner, Australia’s captain and vice-captain, were banned for 12 months for a ball-tampering incident in South Africa also involving Cameron Bancroft, who was suspended for nine months.
“I feel desperately sorry for Smith. I know he eats, sleeps and drinks cricket,” said Arthur.
“He loves cricket and everything he did. He loved the job, he was passionate about the job. I think he was a very good leader and an unbelievable cricketer.”
“I definitely see the return of Smith, without a doubt. He will be there, he will serve his time, he will train hard and he will come back stronger,” Arthur said.
However, Arthur wondered whether there would be a way back for Warner, who has been blamed for hatching the plot and has cut an isolated figure as the scandal unfolded.
“Davey Warner, I am not a hundred percent sure.”
