After a roller coaster 2018 former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith has finally been able to get back onto the pitch and begin his road to redemption.
Smith was stood down from his role as the Australian cricket captain after the ball tampering scandal in South Africa earlier this year.
He was also slapped with a 12-month ban from playing for his country but was given a lifeline by the Toronto Nationals Twenty20 side.
Despite a bit of rust Smith was a visibly more relaxed and happy man as he faced the post match press conference
Smith”s road to redemption will be along and hard one however he seems to be ready to win back the support of the fans he once let down (pictured with fiancee Dani Willis)
Despite a bit of rust Smith was a visibly more relaxed and happy man as he faced the post match press conference.
‘I’ve been up and down with my emotions if I’m being honest,’ he said.
Smith manged to score 61 one runs from a 41-ball innings in his first hit out since the scandal and he managed to crack a Smile and look like he was enjoying himself finally.
While he stopped short of saying it, Smith admitted that he was burnt out which had been impacting on his love of the sport and his performances.
‘It’s been tough but I think I needed a break. I was making horrible decisions, I just felt horrible at the crease,’ he said.
Smith wasn’t without his fans as he took to the pitch in Canada, one Canadian fan who wore an Australian team shirt with Smith”s name and number on the back spoke with Nine News.
Smith manged to score 61 one runs from a 41-ball innings in his first hit out since the scandal
‘I’m a fan of cricket and I am a fan of Steve Smith, the greatest player in the world right now,’ the man said when asked why he was decked out in Australian colours.
Since his 12-month ban begun Smith took to the school talks tour to speak to students about mental health, something he says has been just as good for him as he hopes it has been for the kids.
‘It’s been quite therapeutic for myself, but also I think a lot of the kids at the schools that I’ve gone to, I know that we have made a big difference,’ he said from behind a smile.
Smith’s road to redemption will be along and hard one however he seems to be ready to win back the support of the fans he once let down.
‘All I’ve ever wanted to be is a cricketer,’ he said.
Because Smith’s ban does not cover domestic tournaments outside of Australia Smith will is able to compete in the six team Canadian 20/20 league.
‘It’s been tough but I think I needed a break. I was making horrible decisions, I just felt horrible at the crease,’ Smith said