The real reason Warner and Smith are training with Australia

They might have been banned from turning out for Australia but Steve Smith and David Warner are still playing a key role for their country.

The former Aussie captain and his deputy have been going out of their way to prepare their bowlers for the upcoming four-Test series against India.

Both former Smith and Warner have been seen joining in with the Australian net sessions – batting against the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins in order to prepare them for the threat Virat Kohli and co. pose in the upcoming four-Test series.

Any hopes of Smith and Warner wearing the baggy green this summer were dashed when the Cricket Australia board upheld the bans issued to them.

However, the former skipper and his deputy are still playing a big role behind the scenes.

Smith has been seen facing Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins at the Sydney Cricket Ground nets this week as Australia round off their preparations for the first Test starting December 6 at Adelaide.

“He’s (Smith) someone the three of us have bowled a fair bit to over the last little while at training,” Starc told Fairfax Media.

“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 bowling coaches then there’s talking to the guys you’re bowling to. That’s a great opportunity to have him face us in our preparation leading up to the Tests.”

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

“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,” Starc added.

With agencies