With the Global T20 Canada starting in a day’s time, Steve Smith is set to make his return to cricket following the disgraceful ball-tampering incident that saw him not only lose his captaincy with Australia but also be banned from international and Australian state cricket for a year.

Steve Smith was also barred from taking part in the Indian Premier League that followed soon after. However, he is set to make his return to the game as a player of Toronto Nationals, which is led by Darren Sammy.

The West Indian, meanwhile, was full of praise of the former Australia captain, stating that he sees a changed man in Smith and “respects” him for the ordeal that he has recently lived through.

"I would pick him in my team any day," Sammy said of Smith. "He’s been excellent in the group, I can see he has changed. I’m just happy he’s here. I really respect him for what he has been through."

Sammy also added that he admires the courage of Smith for coming out publicly and owning his mistake while also displaying his frustration at the general public reaction of continuously berating the Australia superstar.

"I commended him for that. I admire his courage.

"As sportsmen, we want to do the right thing, set the example for the next generation and we will make mistakes but it doesn't mean you got to keep kicking a man while you're down."

The Global T20 Canada League begins from tomorrow – June 29 – as Steve Smith’s Toronto Nationals take on Chris Gayle’s Vancouver Knights.