As the defending champions, Australia announced their 15- man World Cup squad on Monday, Steve Smith and David Warner were announced to return to the international fold.
Smith and Warner who decorated their roles as the Captain and Vice-Captain respectively were stripped off their titles and were banned from international arenas for 12 months for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal during the Test series against South Africa in March 2018.
Their suspensions expired last month and the pair are trying to get back in the groove at the ongoing Indian Premier League(IPL) where Warner has been in scorching form for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Smith is on his way to format Rajasthan Royals.
The pair also will return to the Cricket Australia central contract list for 2019-2020 and surprisingly in-form batsman Peter Handscomb and fast bowler Josh Hazelwood were missed out from the World Cup berth.
“Steve Smith and David Warner come back into the squad. Both are world-class players and it has been pleasing to see them produce some good form in the IPL.
“Given the depth of talent and competition for spots there were a number of tough calls we had to make to settle on our squad of 15”, Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said.
