STEVE Smith is off to Canada to restart his cricket career but a dream stint in England under his old mentor still appears unlikely despite a shock late development.Indian captain Virat Kohli has pulled out of his contract with English county Surrey, opening up an unexpected international vacancy under the coaching of Michael di Venuto, the former Australian assistant and close Smith confidant.Di Venuto flagged his interest in signing Smith or David Warner in the wake of the ball-tampering bans but it doesn?t seem as though the county will explore that opportunity given the England Cricket Board has given the impression they would block any such attempt.Smith has been locked in as a marquee signing for the fledgling Global T20 Canada League, with Warner hoping to join him if he gets picked up at a draft for the tournament to be held on Tuesday.
The 7000-seat capacity Maple Leaf Ground just north of Toronto might not be where you?d expect the deposed Australian cricket captain to make his much-anticipated return to the game.However, the six-team tournament running between June 28 and July 16 will allow Smith and likely Warner the chance to blow out some cobwebs and boost the profile of the game in an emerging market.Speculation linking Smith to the Northern Territory Blast later this winter is off the mark, but the 28-year-old has fielded interest from Twenty20 leagues around the world.Cricket Australia had hoped Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft might be snapped up to play in English county cricket, and the withdrawal of Kohli due to a neck complaint has left the door slightly ajar for that possibility.
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