Coach Justin Langer has suggested there is the ‘potential’ for batsmen David Warner and Steven Smith to play in Australia’s limited-overs series against Pakistan, a mere two days after their suspensions have ended.

The five-ODI series in the United Arab Emirates has not been confirmed yet, but Pakistan have suggested it runs from 31 March to 13 April 2019.

Warner and Smith are currently serving bans for their involvement in the ball-tampering saga that marred Australia’s Test tour of South Africa earlier this year. The bans end on 29 March.

‘There’s potential for that, but that’s part of the process to work through to reintegrate the banned players,’ said Langer.

‘There’s a lot of conversations going on about what’s best for our bowlers, for the guys returning, and we’ll work through that.

‘We’ll get the best outcome for Australian cricket and for them personally, but there’s been no decision made at this stage.’

Opener Cameron Bancroft was also involved in the ball-tampering incident at Newlands in Cape Town, but was handed a shorter ban. He will likely return to professional cricket for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.

‘Many people will judge you as a cheat, but that is okay,’ Bancroft reflected in a letter to himself published in the West Australian recently.

‘Always love and respect everyone. You will love those people because you forgive them. Just like you’re going to forgive yourself.

‘You know you cannot say sorry enough, but actually it is time you allow your cricket to be about what you have learnt and use this opportunity to make a great impact.’

Photo: Getty