Banned Smith\, Warner help Australia pacers prepare for Test series against India

Banned Smith, Warner help Australia pacers prepare for Test series against India

Press Trust of India  |  Sydney 

They might have been banned from turning out for but disgraced batting duo of and are going out of their way to prepare their bowlers for the upcoming four-Test series against

Both former Smith and Warner have agreed to turn out at the nets to bat against the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, and to prepare them to face in the upcoming four-Test series.

Any hopes of Smith and Warner wearing the baggy green this summer were dashed when board upheld the bans last week but the former and his deputy is still playing a big role behind the scenes.

Smith is expected to face Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins at the Sudney Ground nets this week as Australia round off their preparations for the first Test starting December 6 at

"He's (Smith) someone the three of us have bowled a fair bit to over the last little while at training," Starc told

"To get the view of a batsman who is facing us, get his opinion on how we're tracking, is always great as well.

"There's talking coaches then there's talking to the guys you're to. That's a great opportunity to have him face us in our preparation leading up to the Tests," he added.

Starc said when they asked Smith to help them prepare for the Test series, he was more than willing to oblige.

"He was around training (Thursday) with the Blues. We said we have a few overs to bowl next week and we said if you want to have a hit he was more than happy to oblige," Starc said.

"It'll be great to bowl to him in the nets. He's one of the best in the world, to even get his thoughts on how we're tracking will always be good for us."

While Smith will turn out at the Australia nets later this week, Warner came in the SCG nets before the third T20I against on Sunday and faced the Aussie fast bowlers in the nets.

Warner appeared in the net session and Cummins and Hazlewood were also seen getting some tips from

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sun, November 25 2018. 21:45 IST