Aussies overseas: Warner and Smith find form, Renshaw misses out

David Warner and Steven Smith are rounding into form ahead of likely World Cup call-ups. Warner's return to the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad has been exceptional. He is the leading scorer in the IPL this season including a masterful century against Royal Challengers Bangalore and added 70 not out against Kings XI Punjab.

He looks in outstanding physical condition and primed for a big World Cup. Smith hasn't looked as fluent for Rajasthan Royals but he found some touch with 73 not out from 59 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders even though it came in a slow-scoring, losing effort.

Jason Behrendorff has bowled very well in his first two IPL games for Mumbai Indians to keep himself in the World Cup mix. Marcus Stoinis has made a couple of starts for Royal Challengers but hasn't really been able to recapture the form he showed at the end of the BBL season and he has been very expensive when he's bowled.

Andrew Tye hasn't found his mojo for Kings XI either, playing only three of the six games so far. He hasn't been able to restrict the opposition with his normal array of tricks and he hasn't taken his usual handful of death-overs wickets.

Glenn Maxwell has skipped the IPL and started a stint with Lancashire in English county cricket in order to put a case forward to play in the Ashes. He started with a match against Loughborough MCCU and was still in World Cup mode, making 82 off 45 balls in the second innings to set up a declaration. He also bowled 16 overs of offspin and picked up a wicket.

Matt Renshaw is now a long shot for full honours and had a double failure on debut for Kent against his former county Somerset. He surprisingly didn't open in either innings. Marnus Labuschagne is hoping to have a big start to the county season for Glamorgan after a lean finish to the Sheffield Shield season with Queensland. He didn't spend much time in the middle against Cardiff MCCU but made 24 not out in the second innings.

Chris Lynn is not in consideration for Australia's World Cup campaign and his start to the IPL for Knight Riders hasn't hit the heights of previous seasons. But he was involved in a bizarre incident against Royals where he appeared to be bowled but the bail lifted from the groove and dropped back in place. He went on to make 50 off 32 balls and help his team to an easy win.

Smith's elbow hasn't inhibited his ability to play for Royals, but he has been restricted in the field as he still manages his recovery from surgery.

You could make a case for Smith or Warner with their most recent performances but both came in losses. Lynn's blistering, albeit fortunate, half-century against Royals was invaluable for Knight Riders as it vaulted them to the top of the IPL table and gave them a huge net run-rate boost by mowing down the target of 140 with eight wickets in hand and 37 balls to spare.