The next stop in Steve Smith's comeback tour is likely to be cancelled but the suspended superstar's reintegration into Australian cricket continues apace.
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Smith will speak to media at the SCG prior to the Sydney Sixers' training session on Friday, marking his first interview in Australia since repeatedly breaking down during a tearful press conference at Sydney airport in March.
Australia's former skipper has made few public appearances while serving a 12-month ban for his role in the Cape Town cheating scandal.
However, Smith's battle for redemption returned to the headlines after a Vodafone campaign he is spearheading was launched during Wednesday night's Big Bash League season opener.
"I was in a pretty dark space ... I've certainly had some difficult days," Smith says in the advertisement.
"But it's OK to be vulnerable. Everyone makes mistakes.
"It's about the way you respond to it that's really important. I want to come back better than I was."
Smith is expected to be overseas for the MCG and SCG Tests, which overlap with a mid-season break in Sydney grade cricket.
The 29-year-old recently helped his Sydney club Sutherland win a Twenty20 final at the SCG while Tim Paine's side battled India in the second Test.
The classy right-hander's next on-field assignment was set to be next month's Bangladesh Premier League as a replacement player for Comilla Victorians.
However, that T20 gig is now in doubt as Bangladesh's franchises row over whether Smith should be allowed to take part given he wasn't part of the original draft like Sylhet Sixers captain David Warner.
Cricbuzz is reporting that Comilla has been informed by Bangladesh's cricket board that Smith is ineligible but the club intends to appeal the decision.
Smith is set to take part in the Pakistan Super League and Indian Premier League before a likely return to Australia's ODI squad.
Smith has been regularly training with NSW teammates at the SCG in recent months, while he caught up with national coach Justin Langer last month.
The widespread expectation is that Smith will be part of Australia's World Cup and Ashes defence in England next year.
But the process in which Smith returns is proving divisive itself, as reflected by contrasting responses to the Vodafone commercial plus the players' union unsuccessful push for him, Warner and Cameron Bancroft to return early.
Langer likened Australian cricket to a "dysfunctional family" last month, speaking after weeks of messy infighting and bloodletting.
"He's just over it," Smith's friend and Test paceman Pat Cummins said last month.
"He wants to play some cricket ... he's sick of all the talk.
"There's some good T20 comps around the world coming up."
Australian Associated Press
