Australian cricketers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will return to competitive cricket at a low-level limited-overs tournament in the country’s tropical north in July, it was announced on Tuesday. Warner is serving a year-long ban from state and international cricket and Bancroft a nine-month suspension over a ball-tampering scandal during the Newlands Test against South Africa in March that rocked the game. The duo will feature in the NT Strike League in Darwin, a month-long Twenty20 and one-day event. Bancroft is available for the entire tournament with Warner committing to two one-dayers on July 21 and 22.
“We’re delighted that Cameron and David will be joining us in Darwin for the Strike League,” said Northern Territory Cricket chief Joel Morrison in a statement.
“Their presence and experience will be invaluable for our local players.”
Former Australian captain Steve Smith, who was also suspended over the tampering incident, is set to make his return at an inaugural Global T20 Canada event in Toronto from June 28-July 15.
