Steve Smith and David Warner are set to be reintegrated into Australian setup in UAE against Pakistan

The men-in-yellow registered a historic win on Indian soil on March 13. Being low on confidence at the start of the series, Australia finally managed to break the jinx and win their first limited-overs bilateral series after 2017, which seems long ago, going by the standards set by the five-time World champions. After upstaging India 3-2 in a five-match ODI series, Australia will now be up against Pakistan in UAE for their last International assignment before the much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. To add to their ecstasy, the two match-winner for Australia Steve Smith and David Warner's formal reintegration will start earlier than expected, with the banned duo to join the ODI squad for one-day series. 

The duo received a year-long ban after their involvement in the sandpaper incident happened in March last year against South Africa. Post this incident, both Warner and Smith haven't been involved in any domestic and International assignment for Australia. 

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With this upcoming series, Smith and Warner are set to front World Cup teammates later this week in Dubai prior to joining their respective Indian Premier League franchises for the Twenty20 tournament that begins on 23 March. The face-to-face meetings are the surest sign yet the gifted batsmen will be part of Australia’s World Cup defense, as has long been the widespread expectation. Smith and Warner are not expected to train, with the focus of their stopover instead on breaking the ice after the year in exile.

The stopover will also give medical staff a chance to assess the pair’s fitness after they underwent elbow surgery in January. Both players have resumed batting but it is unclear how restricted they will be in the field during the IPL. Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns recently suggested Smith and Warner, now in the final three weeks of year-long suspensions, would likely have played ODI against Pakistan on 29 and 31 March if not for their injuries. Australian team will travel to Dubai on Thursday to start with their preparations. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Steve Smith and David Warner will return to the Australian setup ahead of the World Cup. 
• Australia upstaged India 3-2 in the five-match ODI series. 
• Australia will play their last International assignment against Pakistan.