Taking field for the first time since his suspension following the ‘ball tampering’ controversy during the Cape Town Test, former Australia skipper Steve Smith made a successful return, scoring a half-century in the Global T20 Canada in his first game on June 28.
Smith, who was sacked as Australia captain and banned from international and domestic cricket for a year following the scandal in March, is allowed to play in the low-key Canadian event.
Smith known for his aggressive batting in T20 cricket, smashed 61 off 41 balls while playing for the Toronto Nationals to guide his his team to a six-wicket victory over the Vancouver Knights at King City.
Smith’s knock included eight boundaries and one six before he was out stumped off the bowling of Fawad Ahmed.
Following Smith’s brilliant comeback, Twitterati praised the Australian by calling him the ‘champion’.
Here are few reactions:
Steve Smith: Once a champion, always a champion
— crictoday (@crictoday) June 29, 2018
Hope he’ll bounce back, better than ever. __#SteveSmith https://t.co/LpdZDYye4R
— Naveen Manjith (@_Naviya_) June 29, 2018
Wonderful return for Steve Smith. Scores a good 41-ball 61. Delighted to see him back.#GlobalT20Canada
— Sahil D Jain (@sahildj96) June 29, 2018
Steve Smith, playing for the Toronto Nationals, showed few signs of rust in his 41-ball innings of 61, which included eight fours and a six, before being stumped and leaving the field to a standing ovation. pic.twitter.com/47vjHbeDQU
— Sunil reddy (@Sunilre66616786) June 29, 2018
Earlier, Darren Sammy-led Toronto Nationals won the toss and they opted to ball first against Chris Gayle’s Vancouver Knights Squad.
Riding on Evin Lewis 96 and Andre Russell’s late 54, Knights Squad set 227-run target for the Toronto Nationals.
In reply, Toronto Nationals lost their openers early. Then Smith and Anton Devcich (92* off 44) took their team on the driving seat as they achieved the target with four balls to spare.
