Surrey stint unlikely for tainted Aussie duo

According to sources, Steve Smith and David Warner are not on Surrey's radar, especially with Aaron Finch already in its ranks.

Surrey head-coach Michael Di Venuto had earlier hinted that the club could sign some of the world's best players (Steve Smith and David Warner) but the duo is not on the county club's future plans.

After Surrey head-coach Michael Di Venuto hinted at a possible county stint — if ECB permits — for tainted Steve Smith and David Warner, Sportstar has learnt that the English county side has no plans of signing the top Australian players anytime soon. 

Last year, Surrey had signed Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh as its overseas player for 2018. However, with Marsh requiring an ankle surgery, it signed South African opening batsman Dean Elgar to replace Marsh for the first two months of the season. 

Read: Virat Kohli keen on county stint ahead of England tour

Sportstar understands that another Aussie recruit is not on Surrey's radar, especially with Aaron Finch already in its ranks. Di Venuto had earlier said, "We'd be mad not to look at some of the world's best players potentially playing."

However, the 44-year-old's comments could be attributed to his 'familiarity with the duo and not the club's willingness to sign.'

Warner and Smith — owing to their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal — have been banned from playing any form of international or domestic cricket for 12 months, however, the pair could choose to ply trade in the English domestic game.