Smith still on track for World Cup role

Steve Smith remains on track to be available to play a full part in Australia's World Cup campaign, with Cricket Australia keen to return him to action "as soon as practical".

And Smith's camp dismissed reports the former captain could skip the 50-over showpiece tournament and return to cricket through the Australia A tour of England that runs concurrent to the World Cup.

Smith had surgery on his elbow last month and the first step of his recovery required him to spend six weeks with his right arm in a brace.

Smith's manager, Warren Craig of Turning Point Management, said the former captain remained in the brace after his elbow surgery that had "gone very well".

"Until the brace comes off we don't know for sure but all current opinion is that he'll then have about three and a half weeks (before being ready to play)," Craig told cricket.com.au.

"The intent is that he will play in the IPL and then the World Cup and then the Ashes."

Smith and David Warner will become eligible for international selection again on March 29 after serving their year-long bans, and that is expected to coincide with the final two matches of a five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE.

This year's Indian Premier League, the 12th season of the lucrative T20 tournament, also beings on March 29.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: "Return-to-play timeframes will be clearer once the brace has been removed near the end of February. We are working with Steve to ensure he is ready to return to play as soon as practical."

It's understood Smith will embark on a rehab program to strengthen the arm before returning to the nets and building up to match readiness.

Australia coach Justin Langer said it would be "crazy" not to pick both Smith and Warner for the World Cup campaign.

"We're talking about two great players. We're not talking about two really good players, they're two great players who, on paper, we'd be crazy not to have them in the team (for the World Cup)," Langer said after the Test team's win in Canberra.

"(It's about) how much cricket they get to play between now and then, but I'm sure we'll find opportunities.

"They'll find opportunities … but I can't see anything else (stopping them).

"We've got to keep working on how they are with their elbows first," Langer said after both players went under the knife last month.

"They're going to need to get some cricket leading into hopefully coming back into the squad. It's all part of the management. We'll have to wait and see what happens there."

Australia have lost their past six bilateral ODI series, last tasting success in January 2017 when they beat Pakistan on home soil. They last won a series abroad in mid-2016 when they beat Sri Lanka.