Mitchell Starc insists he has the utmost respect for Steve Smith, claiming he'll readily play alongside any of Australia's banned trio and that comments at a recent corporate function have been taken out of context.
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Starc had previously remained mute about the South African cheating scandal that cost Smith the captaincy and led to coach Darren Lehmann's resignation.
Recent reports suggested the left-armer told a Women in Banking and Finance forum that Smith and Cameron Bancroft "didn't really think about" the implications of "not telling the whole truth" during their infamous media conference in Cape Town.
Starc was among the senior players initially implicated in the ball-tampering saga, with Smith telling reporters the team's "leadership group" were responsible for the illegal ploy.
A Cricket Australia investigation cleared Starc of any wrongdoing, ruling Smith, Bancroft and David Warner were the only members of the touring party with knowledge of the plan to cheat.
"My comments at the forum were provided in the context of a particular topic, as it related to being honest and authentic in delivering a message," Starc wrote in a statement on his website.
"This context has unfortunately been lost in certain media reporting and headlines.
"Despite reports to the contrary, I continue to have the utmost respect for Steve Smith as captain, teammate and friend.
"I look forward to having him back in our great game soon.
"That goes for David and Cameron, who have also been through an extremely tough time. It is good to see all three guys planning to be back in cricket soon."
Starc admitted the scandal was a stressful time and "there was strain on relationships both as individuals and as a team".
"However, the relationships of that group remain very much intact," he wrote.
"I look forward to the opportunity to play alongside every one of my teammates from that tour again.
"We still have a long way to go in rebuilding the trust with the Australian public."
Smith and Warner, who copped 12-month bans from international plus domestic cricket, are due to return later this month in a new Canadian Twenty20 league.
Bancroft and Warner are set to take part in next month's NT Strike League.
Australian Associated Press
