IPL 2019 | Steve Smith and David Warner to miss end stages of IPL

Steve Smith and David Warner, who were banned for 12 months for their involvement in the ball tampering scandal, will make a return to Australia’s national team with the World Cup, starting May 30 in England and Wales. Cricket Australia has announced that all the members of the 15 man squad will assemble for a training camp at Bupa National Cricket Centre from May 2.

"The fifteen-player squad for the ICC world cup will assemble in Brisbane for a training camp at the National Cricket Centre on May 2," stated the apex governing body, reported PTI.

"The training camp will include three practice matches between Australia XI and New Zealand XI at Allan Border Field,” they added.

Smith’s Rajasthan Royals will play their last two league games on April 30 and May 5, whereas Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad will play their last two league games on May 2 and May 4. The duo is expected to miss both these matches for their respective franchises, apart from the playoffs, in case the teams qualify.

Mumbai Indians quick Jason Behrendorff and the Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Marcus Stoinis are the other two Australian players, who will take part in the quadrennial event, and naturally, they will also leave their respective franchises to take part in the camp.

Mumbai will play their last two league matches on May 2 and May 5, whereas RCB will play their last two matches on March 30, which happens before the start of the national camp, and May 4.

Nathan Coulter-Nile, who was also drafted in the RCB, has already been ruled out of the tournament owing to an injury. The defending champions will play in two warm-up matches on May 25 and May 27, before their first encounter against Afghanistan on June 1.