Same old cricketer, but a better person

A year on from the scandal that will forever be linked to him, Steve Smith says his 12-month banishment from international cricket has helped him grow as a person.

Smith fronted the press for the first time since returning to the Australian side after an exquisite century, albeit in a practice match, against England in Southampton on Saturday.

Opposing captain Jos Buttler, standing in for an injured Eoin Morgan, said the knock reminded him of the Steve Smith of old, and while Smith himself said it "feels like I never left", the former skipper believes his ban has helped changed him for the better.

The 29-year-old, who turns 30 the day after Australia's World Cup opener against Afghanistan next Saturday, worked with radio identity Gus Worland to help raise awareness of mental health during his suspension, as part of the Gotcha4Life foundation.

"Having a year to reflect and do some different things that I'd never done before (was beneficial)," said Smith.

"Doing stuff in the mental health space, doing stuff with Gus Worland – that was incredibly eye-opening and satisfying in a way to know I was making a difference to other people.

"I took a lot of out of that. I do feel I've certainly grown as a person over the last year, that's for sure."

Along with completing 100 hours of community service as required by his Cricket Australia sanction for his part in the ball-tampering plot, Smith also donated his fee from the first playing contract he secured in the aftermath of the controversy.

The money he would have pocketed for his stint in the Global Canada T20 league helped fund the uniforms, registration costs and coaching fees for a group of young cricketers in Toronto and made contributed to the Lord's Taverners charity.

Image Id: 60C750B4E48B4EC092385BC60C6EB953 Image Caption: The Toronto juniors funded by Steve Smith's donation // supplied

"Not too many players have a year out of the game," he said.

"Having performed at a high level for four to five years, to have a year away has helped freshen me up and come back hungrier than ever and work on a few different things and get fitter.

"I've really enjoyed the way everyone has got around me and Dave (Warner), it's just like fitting back in like we never left in a way."

Smith praised the atmosphere in the national setup he's returned to, with a strong focus being placed on camaraderie under coach Justin Langer, something that Nathan Lyon spoke to after the England match.

"When you're in a team environment and away from home, away from your loved ones and family, I think the word 'care' doesn't get thrown around enough," said Lyon. "I think it's very important.

"At the end of the day we're humans. We all want to be loved.

"It's all about hanging tough together. We all know the crowds are going to be ruthless over here, we've all been here before, we've all experienced it. "

Smith has previously admitted he'd had some "dark days" following the backlash to the scandal and at times felt like he didn't want to get out of bed. 

While he copped a mixed reception from the Rose Bowl crowd, he labelled it "water off a duck's back" and suggested he was unfazed by being labelled a cheat by boisterous British spectators.

"It doesn't bother me, it's just doing my job and I know that I've got the support of my teammates up on the balcony," Smith continued.

"The guys have been magnificent, JL has been magnificent as well. I've really enjoyed working all the coaching staff that are there at the moment.

"It's got a good feel and a good vibe to it. We're excited about what's coming up."

Image Id: D60283A1C17244B0A0ED7F3ECCDBAB50 Image Caption: Smith hits out on his way to 116 from 102 balls // Getty

Given he has also been recovering from an elbow operation he underwent in January, question marks have lingered over how Smith would adapt back to international cricket physically.

While he's emphatically dismissed any notion that his recovery could affect his batting (or his bowling for that matter, having sent down a couple of overs without issue in Wednesday's match against West Indies), he said he's not quite at full capacity in the field yet.

"It's coming along pretty well," he said of his elbow. "I haven't been able to really test it yet throwing-wise.

"I'd say I'm probably at about 80 per cent throwing-wise. Hopefully it can progress a little bit further before the first game."

Image Id: 42830D7A1C894EB2BE5E5674F0FBBA97 Image Caption: Smith hit eight fours and three sixes // Getty

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 22: (warm-up) Australia beat West Indies by seven wickets

May 25: (warm-up) Australia beat England by 12 runs

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE