England all-rounder Chris Woakes has said it is time the world of cricket forgave Australians Steve Smith and David Warner.
The disgraced Australian duo are back in the fold having been picked in their World Cup squad after both served a 12-month ban for ball tampering.
Whilst many in the game have voiced their opinion that the pair got off lightly for what they did Woakes, who is expected to be named in England’s squad, says he understands why they have been selected and says it’s time to forgive them.
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He said: “Players of the quality of Warner and Smith, I think they’d have been silly not to include them. “From a cultural point of view that was their call whether to bring them back or not — will it disrupt their squad and players? “But if I was in their shoes, you want your strongest XI going into a World Cup and there’s no doubt they are in that.
“What they did wasn’t great for the game but a year out of cricket is a long time. I think you have to learn to forgive and they’ve done their time.
I hope they let their cricket do the talking.”
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