I was nervous before today’s game, Steven Smith reveals emotions on comeback post ball tampering scandal

With the kickoff the inaugural edition of Global T20 Canada League also saw the return of World No. 1 Test batsman Steven Smith.

Over three months have passed since the forgettable ball tampering saga during Australia’s tour of South Africa in March when Smith, his deputy David Warner and young Cameron Bancroft had accepted to the wrong-doing in a press conference in between the third Test at Wanderers.

While Bancroft was handed a nine-month ban, Smith and Warner were slapped with a year’s ban each. In the same period of time, the three could not play for their state and national teams.

Canada’s T20 league recently had announced about participation of Warner and Smith, since the duo was away from international cricket. Smith was signed by Toronto Nationals, led by Darren Sammy, while Warner was picked by Winnipeg Hawks, captained by West Indian again, Dwayne Bravo.

The opening match of the tournament saw Smith and Co lock horns against Chris Gayle’s Vancouver Knights at Maple Leaf North-West Ground, King City on Thursday.

Evin Lewis’ 96 off 55 balls took Knights to a great total of 227 in 20 overs. In reply to that, Smith’s 61 off 41 and Anton Devcich’s unbeaten 92 ensured they started off their campaign with a win. With four balls to spare, Toronto Nationals won the match by six wickets.

When asked if he was nervous ahead of his comeback match, former Australian captain, Smith said, “I normally don’t get nervous before playing a game but to be honest, I was a little bit nervous today. I did have a couple of nets but in the three months off, I had not hit that many balls back at home. Then I got here. I didn’t hit on the turf, I just hit indoors and I felt pretty good. I got a bit lucky today, I didn’t feel good like I have ever have so it’s nice to score runs when you aren’t feeling good, so hopefully, some positive signs.”

For once, Smith does not have the captaincy responsibility on his shoulders. Talking about his captain, Sammy, Smith said, “He has been great so far, he has won two T20 World Cups, as a skipper he is extremely experienced and we have got really good bunch of guys. I have spent the last few days trying to get to know the local fellas and they all are so terrific. I think there is some seriously good talent here as well so I’m really excited and the start we have got has been really good and I hope we can keep playing good here in the next few days as well."

Apart from the Canada T20 league, the reporters during the post-match press conference, were more curious to know how the last three months had gone for Smith.

Cooperating fully with the reporters, Smith answered every question with utmost patience, even if the queries took him back to his life’s most terrible three months.

“I have been up and down with my emotions. If I have to be honest, I have spent time particularly watching the boys play in England. Watching them not play as good and England playing extremely good, it was hurting me that I couldn’t go there and help them win games. I just hoped I could play there, emotions were down there but you know it’s been tough. I think I needed a break, if I make sense. Obviously, it has come under some ordinary circumstances but I was really mentally fatigued, after the Ashes especially.

WATCH: Steven Smith's first press conference after his return to cricket:

I put so much in the Ashes that when I think of the one-day games after it, I don’t think I have ever hit the ball that bad in my life. I was making horrible decisions, I just felt horrible at the crease and I guess it just comes down to the mental sort of part of the game. Just putting so much into that Ashes back home, it took so much out of me.

A bit of a break perhaps isn’t the worst thing and hopefully I’ll be able to come back in form of high level again, so let’s see what happens,” Smith added.