David Warner's ego needs to be kept in check when the polarising opener makes his return to Australia's national team.
That's the opinion of former South African captain Graeme Smith, who believes Warner is no longer indispensable to Australian cricket.
David Warner has been in great form in the Indian Premier League.Credit:AP
Along with former captain Steve Smith, Warner is expected to return from his 12-month ban for ball-tampering for Australia's World Cup defence and also play a key role in this year's Ashes series against England.
Graeme Smith, though, was unsure when asked if teammates would welcome Warner back into the Australian dressing room.
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"I don't know. It's difficult to know what it's like behind the scenes, but he's always been an incredible cricketer," Smith told The Back Page on Fox Sports.
"Especially when he bats, he bats with that driven nature, that intensity, ego to perform. And he's an excellent cricketer.
"I think where David has been throughout his career is that he's pissed a lot of people off. He's just that type of guy.
"I think at the moment he needs Australian cricket more than they need him."
Warner has been in devastating IPL form for Sunrisers Hyderabad and tops the scoring chart with 349 runs in six innings.
However, Smith, who is the only player to captain a country in 100 Tests, believes Warner's behaviour needs to be monitored closely.
"He's very driven, I think he wants to do well, he wants to prove his worth again and I think David Warner in that position is probably a good guy to have in your environment," Smith said.
"It's when he starts to Read More – Source
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