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Posted: 2018-09-18 20:53:32

Updated September 19, 2018 07:14:09

The extra sausages for the canteen have been ordered.

After all, it's not often you get a former Australian cricket captain at the height of his powers strapping on the pads at his home cricket club, with his reputation on the line.

Steve Smith is preparing for his first appearance on home soil since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March, when he plays for Sutherland in Sydney's grade competition this Saturday.

Sutherland skipper Chris Williams, who is preparing to introduce the banned former Australia captain to his new team mates at training this week, says Smith is in a good state of mind.

"I spoke to him while he was in the Caribbean but I didn't want to keep him too long because he was coming back (to Australia) and he only had a week or so to prepare for his wedding," Williams said.

"He sounded very happy and relaxed. He said he was looking forward to being part of it.

"He has got a lot of information, a lot of ways to prepare. He has been around the world's best coaches and is one of the world's best players, so there is a lot to learn."

Smith, whose wedding was held last weekend, is expected to be part of the Sutherland squad for the rest of the year, with half of his original 12-month international and domestic ban now served.

Instead of a honeymoon, the 29-year-old batsman will make the most of the upcoming summer, promoting the game in the area where it all began.

"This is one of the biggest days for the club for sure," Sutherland club secretary David Cush said.

Sutherland is where Smith's career began. It's one of 20 grade clubs sprinkled across New South Wales made up primarily of part-time players, who ply their trade on some of Sydney's most picturesque, suburban ovals.

Smith's appearance is likely to garner worldwide attention but officials still aren't exactly sure how many will turn out at Glenn McGrath Oval to witness his return.

"We don't know how many people will come, to be honest," Cush said.

"A few years ago we had Brett Lee turn out for Mosman on a Sunday afternoon which was pretty big, we had around 400 or so people.

"We have got more food in the canteen, sausages and steaks, that's for sure."

Smith won't be the only big name in action.

Retired Australia all-rounder Shane Watson and rising star Austin Waugh, son of another former Australia captain Steve, are also in the line-up.

"It is something that is a little bit surreal sometimes, when you see Steve Waugh moving sightscreens and Shane Watson and Steve Smith are in your team," admits Williams, a physical education teacher at Liverpool Boys High School in south-western Sydney.

"Smithy will certainly bring it up a notch."

Cush says the club is doing its best to make a minimal fuss of Smith's return in the one-day match, which is what the former Australia skipper would prefer.

And as for where he will bat in the order, Williams says that's yet to be decided.

"Probably somewhere in the top three," Williams said cheekily.

Topics: sport, cricket, sutherland-2232

First posted September 19, 2018 06:53:32

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