IPL stint was important for returning Smith and warner, says skipper Finch

Australian captain Aaron Finch Friday said the returning Steve Smith and David Warner's stint in the IPL was important as it helped them adapt faster to international cricket.

Both Smith and Warner will use the showpiece to restore their credentials after their role in the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. The disgraced duo served 12-month bans following the "sandpaper-gate" incident in the Cape Town Test in March last year.

On the eve of their tournament opener against Afghanistan, Finch said, "I think when you are a world-class player, you adapt again really quickly and you get up to speed. Having them play in the IPL was really important.

"That's a higher standard of cricket and it just gets you back up to as close to international competition as you can."
"There was never any issue about how he (Smith) would bounce back, and the same with David. They are both so competitive, they have got great records. There was never any doubt how well they would come back."
"David is fine. He will play tomorrow, no doubt about that. We are very close to a starting XI but we are not going to name it yet. Everyone is in contention."