• ‘Hugs and cuddles’ greet Smith, Warner in Aus return

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    Disgraced Australian’s Steve Smith and David Warner met up with the national team in the United Arab Emirates recently as part of their reintegration and were welcomed back with ‘open arms’.

    The pair will return to the Australian set-up on 29 March when their one-year bans for involvement in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal expire. As part of their reintegration, the pair made a pit stop in the UAE to learn about the new culture instilled by coach Justin Langer on their way to India for the IPL.

    READ MORE: Warner, Smith continue reintegration

    ‘It’s been awesome, like we didn’t really leave,’ Warner said. ‘The boys have been really accepting of us coming in, with open arms and a lot of big hugs and cuddles. It’s good to see the spirit they are in after a great series win in India.

    ‘Obviously, being out for 12 months, there’s been a big change, which is great, and it’s about just accepting that and playing what our role in the team should be moving forward.’

    ‘I guess it’s just been going through the values that are instilled in the team at the moment and making sure we are on the right path looking forward to what’s coming up – a huge World Cup and an Ashes series in England,’ Smith said.

    ‘It’s pretty exciting times ahead for the team, and just making sure everyone’s on the right path and heading in the same direction.’ he added.

    READ ALSO: Warner, Smith ‘have to expect absolute worst’ – Ponting

    Australia are in the UAE to face off against Pakistan on Friday in the first ODI of the five-match series against the men in green. The tour will serve as their last bilateral ODI series before the World Cup in May.

    Photo: CricketNDTV/Twitter

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