Despite ban, Steve Smith returns to cricket world next month

Former Australia skipper Steve Smith, who is serving a 12-month ban for his involvement in the infamous ball-tampering scandal, may return to the ground next month.

Smith has been named as one of the 10 marquee players for the proposed Global T20 Canada league.

As per reports, if the tournament proceeds as scheduled in June, it will mark Smith's first cricket action since Cricket Australia (CA) had put a 12-month ban on him from all international and domestic cricket.

However, the ban doesn't extend to club cricket or global leagues, but Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan chose to drop him for the 2018 edition.

Besides Smith, explosive opener Chris Lynn is the other Australian in the list which also features Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Darren Sammy (West Indies) and David Miller (South Africa).

The tournament will be commenced from June 28 to July 15 and comprises six teams - five from Canada and one Cricket West Indies representative team - playing 22 matches.