Graeme Smith cautions Australia to rein in David Warner's ego on his international return

Sport360 staff 08:33 10/04/2019
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  • David Warner is set for an Australia return.

    Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith believes David Warner’s attitude will need to be reined in once the left-handed batsman makes his return for Australia.

    Warner is set to return to the Australia squad ahead of the 2019 ICC World Cup in England after serving his one-year ban from international and domestic cricket for his role in the infamous ball-tampering saga that erupted in Cape Town.

    Warner and Steve Smith are expected to play crucial roles for the Aussies in the World Cup but Smith has advised head coach Justin Langer to keep the ego of the former in check.

    “It’s difficult to know what it’s like behind the scenes, but he’s always been an incredible cricketer,” Smith told The Back Page on Fox Sports.

    “Especially when he bats, he bats with that driven nature, that intensity, ego to perform. And he’s an excellent cricketer.

    “I think where David has been throughout his career is that he’s pissed a lot of people off. He’s just that type of guy. I think at the moment he needs Australian cricket more than they need him.”

    Warner is in red-hot form in the IPL. Image credit - BCCI/SPORTZPICS.

    Warner is in red-hot form in the IPL. Image credit – BCCI/SPORTZPICS.

    Warner is currently leading the run-scoring charts in the IPL after his return from a one-year absence with the Hyderabad opener racking up 349 runs from his six appearances while also registering an excellent ton.

    Smith has no doubts over the southpaw’s commitment but still feels that he needs to be managed carefully on his international return.

    “He’s very driven, I think he wants to do well, he wants to prove his worth again and I think David Warner in that position is probably a good guy to have in your environment,” Smith said.

    “It’s when he starts to get bigger than everybody else that probably management needs to be ready for [that].

    “Guys like (Justin) Langer and whoever is captaining the side going forward need to ensure they stay on top of that and manage that space and that ego well going forward.”

    While their neighbours and rivals New Zealand have already announced their 15-man final World Cup squad, Australia are yet to do so. The last date for the participating nations to submit their respective squad lists is April 23.

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