Steve Smith has notched a half century in his return to cricket while he serves a 12-month international and first-class ban for ball tampering.

The former Australian skipper made 61 for the Toronto Nationals against the Vancouver Knights at the inaugural Global T20 Canada league in Toronto.

Before his impressive 34-ball knock, Smith took a superb catch to dismiss Vancouver's Chris Gayle.

The regulation catch perhaps marked the moment, in the backwaters of Toronto, Smith finally rediscovered the simple joy of cricket.

Gayle chipped a ball into the outfield, Smith steadied himself in his run and took the grab, taking care not to trip on the longest grass he’s probably encountered since he was a kid at Menai-Illawong.

It was such a simple catch, the commentators would have barely broken their stride if this was an international Twenty20, other than the fact it was the ever dangerous ‘Universe Boss’ who was sent packing to the pavilion.

But after the sheer turmoil Smith has been through over the past few months, the catch to open the fledgling Canadian T20 Global League was a significant moment in the deposed skipper’s comeback trail.

There was little fanfare from Smith but just the familiar sensation of hi-five’s from teammates indicated that out of the darkness, the 29-year-old has returned to his happy place.

Smith returned to the fence at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club to a throng of fans requesting selfies. Smith obliged.

This is no sold-out MCG, but it’s one for the true believers.

He dropped a fly ball a few overs later that he should have caught, and had another catch taken off him due to a no-ball - but the smile was back.

There’s no way of sugar coating it. It’s park cricket stuff at the Maple League Club. But it’s fun.

The electronic scoreboard didn’t work. The manual one is hidden behind the stands. The pitch looks like it’s already had three weeks’ worth of play on it and there’s a strip of artificial turf halfway to the boundary that’s been bolted down by dozens of metal screws.

Cricket Australia’s insurance types might have some concerns.

But Smith was happy.

At one point fielding on the fence in front of the media box, he politely asked the scorers what the score was.

A local journalist told him he should have a bowl.

Smith shook his head, and smiled.

There might have been a part of Smith, asking, ’what am I doing here?’

But it looks as though he’s chosen just to enjoy the ride.