'Still tension': Revealing insight into Smith and Warner relationship

Leading cricket writer Robert Craddock says there is “100 per cent still tension” between Steve Smith and David Warner.

The duo, who are serving one-year international bans that end on March 29, recently joined the Australian team in Dubai as part of their reintegration after the scandal in South Africa that rocked the cricketing world.

Smith and Warner were welcomed back into the Australian fold with “hugs and cuddles”, and said it was like they’d never left.

The pair were all smiles for the camera, but according to Craddock, the happy reunion scenes were “heavily choreographed.”

Speaking on The Back Page on Tuesday night, Craddock said the relationship between Smith and Warner was far from repaired, amid rumours they had fallen out after the tampering scandal.

“There is 100 per cent still tension and it’s so heavily choreographed,” he said.

“My interesting one there is how do they get along, don’t worry about the integration, they could never be as close as what they were.

“There were plenty of photos of Steve Smith practising at the SCG and Dave Warner but never together. How could they possibly be what they were?”

Craddock also said he was worried about how Smith would have been affected by his 12 months in the cricketing wilderness.

“Because Warner has been in the rough and tumble all his life — you knock him down, he gets back up again, he’s used to it, shakes himself up and goes,” Craddock said.

“Smith was knocking at Bradman’s door and suddenly he’s in solitary confinement and has found it really hard.

“That’s as big a comedown as any Australian cricketer. Everyone I know who knows Warner says he’ll be fine but Steve Smith…”

‘Brothers coming home’

“It seems like some really good energy among the team at the moment,” Smith said of the meeting in Dubai.

“It’s great to be back around the group, they’ve been really welcoming and almost like we’ve never left.”

Smith said the Dubai catch-up went 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”.

The pair, who are both returning from elbow surgery, are eligible for the final two games of the Pakistan series.

But selectors decided it would be better to ease themselves back at the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Langer, who has been vocal in championing their return, said it was like “two brothers coming home”.

“They have been received really well, we had a good night together and had some great meetings today (Saturday) so it’s been really positive,” he said.

“As a coach when you have got two guys with as many runs and experience as they’ve got coming back into a team that’s playing well, that’s very exciting.”

with agencies