Steve Smith is close to being back to full fitness as he enters the last month of his year-long ban following the sandpaper gate incident in Cape Town last year.
Smith suffered an elbow injury shortly after he began practicing with his former Australian teammates in a bid to get back to his prolific form by the time his ban expired.
The injury sent ripples through the Australian public who, while still upset about the incident, are very aware that their chances in England will largely lie in the performance of the former skipper who remains one of the best batsmen in world cricket.
Speaking of the fitness update, Asutralia coach Justin Langer said both Smith and David Warner should be fit to participate in the Indian Premier League starting later this month.
“From all accounts they should both be ready for the IPL, which is really positive,” Langer said.
Smith posted the following video on his Instagram account of him batting in the nets.