Shane Warne says the return of Steve Smith and David Warner can help Australia win the World Cup this summer.
Australia have endured a poor year in all formats since Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned for ball-tampering in a Test match against South Africa.
Bancroft returned to domestic cricket over Christmas, while Smith and Warner will be eligible to play for Australia at the end of this month.
Legendary spinner Warne was banned in 2003 after testing positive to a banned substance and says Smith and Warner will have a ‘point to prove’ upon their potential returns.
He told Fox Sports: ‘Sometimes having an enforced lay off – like I had – means is you become really fresh.
‘You freshen your mind up, you become hungry again and realise how important cricket is to you. They will have a point to prove.
‘That’s why I reckon Australia can win the World Cup.’
Australia won the last World Cup on home soil in 2015 but have suffered a dip in form since and are currently 2-0 down in a five-match series against India.
But Warne believes the team will be boosted by the returns of Smith and Warner and can go on to defend the World Cup.
‘Have a look at their records. Absolute class, those two players are as good as anybody in the world,’ he added.
‘They’ll walk straight back in, they’ll be hungry.
‘They’ll be a bit nervous in the first few games but that’ll be good for them, they’ll be excited and I would expect them to play as good as they always have.’
Australia begin their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on June 1.