Having started his career as a leg spinner and a tail-ender in international cricket, Steve Smith rode on his consistency to become the number one Test batsman in ICC Rankings. He made his debut against Pakistan in 2010 at the 'Mecca of Cricket' Lord's. It was a disastrous debut for the former Australian skipper as he scored 1 and 12 runs in successive innings, though he was decent with the bowl as he picked up three wickets in second innings while he did not get chance to ball in the first innings. He marked his name in international cricket in 2013 Ashes, where he scored his first Test century at Oval. Despite having an unorthodox batting stance, Smith suddenly started dominating Test cricket as he has the ability to play both fast and spin bowlers. The 2014-2015 series against India was the path-breaking series for the Aussie as he scored four centuries. It was in the same summer when he was appointed as Australia's 45th Test captain in place of injured Michael Clarke. Everything was going right for the right-handed batsman but suddenly life took a U-turn and he got involved in the ball-tampering scandal with his two Australia teammates David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. The scandal, which rocked the cricket world, happened during a Test match against South Africa. Smith and Warner are suspended for One year while the young fast bowler Bancroft is suspended for nine months.
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A day before Australia's World Cup encounter against India, Finch sounded quietly confident and his opinion seemed like sending out a strong message for the opposition.
Nathan Coulter-Nile slammed 92 off 60 balls and took Australia to 288 from a spot of bother while the West Indies middle-order collapsed and lost by 15 runs.
David Warner was booed when he walked out to open Australia's 208 chase and later when he reached a half-century against Afghanistan.
Despite peaking at the right time, the Australians will be aware that Afghanistan have the ability to rise to the challenge on the world stage.
Australia's coach Justin Langer has asked fans to show respect to David Warner and Steve Smith.
Both Smith and Warner will use the showpiece to restore their credentials after their role in the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
Steve Smith and David Warner have already witnessed hostile crowd during Australia's two World Cup warm-up games.
Alex Carey has stated that the team knew that the crowd would be hostile towards Steve Smith and David Warner, but insisted that the duo handled the reaction 'really well'.
Australia may have had a year to forget in 2018, but the side picked the form as the World Cup inched closer. With Steve Smith and David Warner back in the team, Australia are a force to reckon with.
Shane Warne said that the fact that Australia love to rise to the challenge of big-ticket events will work in their favour in the 2019 World Cup.
There were audible boos, jeers and chants of "cheat", something which David Warner and Steve Smith will need to get used to during the course of the World Cup.
Steve Smith and David Warner returned to national duty earlier this month after they were banned for a year for their role in the ball-tampering scandal.
Steve Smith scored a magnificent 102-ball 116 on Saturday in the World Cup warm-up game in Southampton which Australia won by 12 runs.
England were poised to chase down the target, reaching 197 for 4 in the 34th over but after that, they lost the plot as they were bowled out for 285 in 49.3 overs.
The English fans weren't warm towards David Warner and Steve Smith in World Cup's warm-up game.
Ricky Ponting said there were concerns about the middle-order's ability to play spin a year ago but the return of David Warner and Steve Smith has strengthened the team.
Steve Smith, who returned to the national set-up earlier this month, posted 76 off 82 balls as Australia chased down the 230-run target with more than 11 overs to spare against West Indies.
Jos Buttler professed his admiration for Virat Kohli and also revealed how the time he spent with Steve Smith during the IPL and learnt from him.
Steve Smith and David Warner will be donning the Baggie Green for the first time in England since they were banned for a year by Cricket Australia following their involvement in the ball tampering scandal.
Despite being out of action for such a long time, Warner showed imperious form in the recently concluded IPL 2019 as the opener topped the charts of run-getters with 692 runs from 12 innings.
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