Cricket news roundup – 17th March 2019: Smith, Warner return to Australian dressing-room

Steven Smith and David Warner returned to the Australian dressing-room for the first time since being banned for their role in the ball-tampering furore in 2018. Elsewhere, South Africa completed a sweep of Sri Lanka, BCB expressed disappointment at the NZC, and Kohli discussed RCB’s shortcomings.

Smith, Warner return to Australian dressing-room

Steven Smith and David Warner made a much-awaited return to the Australian dressing-room for the first time since they were banned for their role in the ball-tampering incident in March 2018.

They were welcomed back with “open arms” and it is understood they took their time to align with the current culture in the team and their place in it.

“It’s been awesome, like we didn’t really leave,” Warner said. “The boys have been really accepting of us coming in with open arms and a lot of big hugs and cuddles. It’s good to see the spirit they are in after a great series win in India.”

Smith said: “It’s been great to be back around the group, they’ve been really welcoming again and it’s almost like we never left so everything is on the right track.”

RCB failure down to bad decisions – Virat Kohli

The Royal Challengers Bangalore talisman and captain, Virat Kohli, said the team’s frustrating failures over the years were down to bad decision-making.

With that in mind, Kohli revealed the entire staff of the franchise had spoken about laying down a culture this year, one that will stand for a long time. “What we’ve spoken about this year is to lay down a culture, which is the most important thing for any team. One thing that remains an essence for any team is striving for excellence and being committed to what you want to achieve.

“That takes commitment on a daily basis, and that is something I’m looking forward to this season. We will require absolute professionalism from all our players. We’ll give responsibility to the players to handle themselves on the field, off the field, and take good decisions, be responsible about their life and the sport as well.”

BCB express disappointment at lack of security in New Zealand

Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the BCB chief executive, has expressed disappointment at the lack of security his team had in New Zealand following the Christchurch terror attack.

The Bangladesh team were in the vicinity of the mosque that came under attack from an armed gunman, and the team’s chilling account documents how they fled from the team bus, with bodies strewn around them, and made a beeline for the safety of the Hagley Oval.

With the players returning home, Chowdhury has made clear his disappointment at NZC. “It is really unfortunate that we have not seen any visible security arrangements [during the tour],” he said. “Even we knew nothing about their security system.

“When a team comes to visit Bangladesh, our law-enforcement agencies assess the security and make the plans accordingly. At the same time, if the visiting team needs something special, they contact their high-commission and take necessary steps. This is the standard practice. In most of the cases, we do it when the teams like Australia, England or New Zealand visit us.”

South Africa sweep Sri Lanka 5-0

South Africa completed a 5-0 sweep of Sri Lanka in the five-match ODI series, with floodlight failure at the Newlands proving the most surprising facet of the match.

South Africa were making a charge for victory when the floodlights went off. It meant they won the match by 41 runs on the DLS Method.

Quinton de Kock was dismissed early in their chase of 226, but Aiden Markram and Faf du Plessis steadied the innings, and from there on, there was only one result.

Earlier, Kagiso Rabada’s 3/50 had dismantled Sri Lanka, for whom Kusal Mendis was the top-scorer with an 84-ball 56.