Stuart Law believes Steve Smith and David Warner will have a better idea of “what life is all about” after playing club cricket as he called for their return to international duty as soon they complete year-long bans.
Smith and Warner were both handed 12-month suspensions from state and international fixtures by Cricket Australia for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal during a Test match in South Africa last year.
“Australia definitely have got the talent, I think we’ve just lost track of what’s important,” said former Australia batsman Law, the new coach of Middlesex.
“When I first started playing grade cricket in Brisbane, as a 15-year-old (I was) sharing a dressing room with (Australia batsmen) Allan Border, Greg Ritchie, Kepler Wessels –- that doesn’t happen much anymore, the Test players don’t really play club cricket.
“Once they are away from international duties, they are wrapped up in cotton wool and put away.
“But kids coming through learn from guys who’ve done it before. I think David Warner and Steve Smith playing club cricket this (Australian) summer has not only given them an idea of what life is really about, but it’s also helping the young kids they have been playing with how to improve,” he added.
