SYDNEY – Disgraced cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner made stunningreturns to Australian cricket Saturday, with the pair both notching up bigscores in front of some of the largest grade-level crowds the country hasseen.

Former captain Smith looked as though he had not a missed beat, with aclassy 85 of 92 deliveries for Sutherland against Mosman in New South Walesgrade cricket.

He was greeted with loud applause from hundreds of fans when he walked outto the pitch at Sydney’s Glenn McGrath Oval, supporters delighted to see areturn of his trademark fidgeting at crease.

“It’s awesome to see him playing,” Sutherland teammate Shane Watson toldCricket Australia’s official website.

“I’d prefer him to be playing for Australia, but the support that he got,the warm applause when he scored runs and also when he got out shows thateveryone is supporting him.”

Some 30 kilometres (19 miles) north at Coogee Oval, former Australianvice-captain Warner smashed a century from 98 balls in his Australia returnfor club side Randwick-Petersham against St George.

The impressive innings included a huge six hit out of the ground, to thedelight of hundreds of onlookers crammed into the small ground.

“It’s great to have him back,” cricket fan Kim Perry told AFP. “He’s agreat entertainer for Australian cricket.”

Both players took time out in between innings to pose for photos and chatwith fans, on a charm offensive as they seek redemption for their part inthe ball-tampering scandal against South Africa in March.

The pair are serving one-year suspensions from international and statecricket for the scandal, while opener Cameron Bancroft was banned for ninemonths.

“I think they will probably welcome them (Smith and Warner) back afterthey’ve done their time. Not before,” said 82-year-old cricket fan DonSounders.

Smith and Warner are expected to spend more time at their respectivegrade-level clubs in New South Wales this summer if they decide not to jointhe new Twenty20 competition in the UAE. – APP/AFP