A file image of Mitchell Starc
Australian spearhead Mitchell Starc feels that the squad needs to regroup as it will take time for them to establish themselves back in the sport. As the saying goes, 'time will heal', Starc believes they can set matters right as Australia tour England in a five-match ODIs and a one-off T20 from June 13.
"Rebuilding trust and developing a positive reputation will take time and through our actions, we hope to demonstrate this to cricket fans everywhere. The process has already started and the focus now should be on the cricket being played and the stories of performance and change in the current series, led by new Aussie coach Justin Langer, captain Tim Paine and the current team over in the UK," Starc wrote on his website.
READ: SMITH, WARNER DRAFTER BY CANADA T20 LEAGUE
The aftermath of the ball-tampering row is still being affected all around and with Australia making their return to cricket since the tour of South Africa where it all went down, the Tim Paine led Australia team will have to return home with a series win to indicate that they are back on the road.
Starc, who leads the Australia bowling unit, said that that it was a stressful time for the players when they returned home from South Africa. However, putting all of the matters aside, Starc says that he is looking forward to the upcoming tours.
"It was such a stressful time in our lives. There was strain on relationships both as individuals and as a team. However, the relationships of that group remain very much intact. I look forward to the opportunity to play alongside every one of my team mates from that tour again."
"We still have a long way to go in rebuilding the trust with the Australian public and I know personally, that I am 100 per cent committed to doing that."
Former captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were suspended by Cricket Australia for their actions as the two captains were handed a one-year ban whereas Bancroft was given a nine-month ban. The three are making their way back as they participate in the local matches around. The suspensions were significantly harsher than any sanction ever imposed by the International Cricket Council for similar offences.
Starc said that he still respects Smith as a captain and hopes to have him back in the squad soon. Smith and Warner have been drafted into teams for the inaugural Global T20 Canada Cricket league.
"Despite reports to the contrary, I continue to have utmost respect for Steve Smith as captain, teammate and friend and I look forward to having him back in our great game soon," Starc wrote on his website.
"That goes for David and Cameron who have also been through an extremely tough time. It is good to see all three guys planning to be back in cricket soon in different competitions around the world.
Smith, Warner and Bancroft accepted their bans imposed by Cricket Australia. Australia's then coach Darren Lehmann resigned soon and it was Cricket Australia's CEO James Sutherland who put pen to paper recently to announce his departure with a 12 months notice. (READ: SUTHERLAND QUITS)
Australia will tour England which comprises of five ODIs and a one-off T20I match where the squad will be lead by new captain Tim Paine and coached by Justin Langer.
