Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has reflected on the return of ball-tampering trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft to the side on Monday ahead of the first Ashes Test against England.

Waugh has been embedded in Australia’s camp as a mentor in the lead-up to the first Test at Edgbaston on Thursday and labelled the trio world-class players, and claims they’ll be excited having not played a Test in nearly a year-and-a-half.

The 54-year-old, the last Australia captain to win an away Ashes series in 2001, will remain with Justin Langer and his players until the end of the second Test at Lord’s next month.

“You know, out of the game for… haven’t played a test match for 16 months those guys. That’s a big wait,” said Waugh.

“But they’re world class players. The thing I know about Steve Smith is, he always finds a way. If someone is going to write him off or say he’s not what he used to be, then they do that at their peril.

“The other players are very grateful they are back in the side and looking forward to playing with them. So, there will be some nerves.”