Banned Australian stars David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will play their first competitive matches at a low-level limited-overs tournament in the country’s tropical north in July.
Warner and Bancroft are serving a year-long and nine-month bans respectively from state and international cricketer following their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South African that rocked the world of sport.
The two players will feature in the NT Strike League in Darwin, a month-long Twenty20 and one-day event that features four franchises — Desert Blaze, City Cyclones, Northern Tide and Southern Storm.
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.”
Warner, who is also set to play for his Sydney club side Randwick Petersham from September, spent time running cricket clinics last month in Darwin.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in the Strike League in July,” he said.
“I heard so much about the competition while I was in Darwin earlier this month that I’m keen to be part of it.”
