Steve Smith and David Warner will come back and help Australia defend its crown in the ICC Cricket World Cup, reckons Shane Warne, who also feels that the veteran duo will be hungrier for success when they return from their exile for the ball-tampering saga. 

"Sometimes having an enforced lay off -- like I’m used to, I had 12 months off myself -- what that means is you become really fresh," he told Fox Sports. "You freshen your mind up, you become hungry again and realise how important cricket is to you."

Warne then emphasized that Warner and Smith will have a "have a point to prove" and that can only be good for the Australian cricket team. 

"That’s why I reckon Australia can win the World Cup," 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."

Even former captain and newly appointed assistant coach, Ricky Ponting echoed Warne's sentiments recently and told cricket.com.au, "Absolutely, I actually do(whether Australia can win the World Cup or not). India and England are probably the two standout teams right now but if you add Warner and Smith back into that lineup, I think that team looks as strong as any. Conditions in England will suit our style of play (as well)."

Warner had escaped surgery on the injury he sustained during the Bangladesh Premier League(BPL), while Smith was in a brace on his elbow which got removed towards the end of the last month. And they are both slated for a return from the one-year-long ban enforced over them by Cricket Australia (CA) before the limited-overs tour of UAE after March 29.