David Warner is all set to take up commentating duties during the upcoming ODI series between England and Australia.
Australia’s Channel Nine network announced on Saturday that Warner will be part of the commentary team for the England series with the suspended cricketer set to take over microphone duties from the second ODI.
The 31-year-old former vice-captain was handed a 12-month suspension from international and domestic cricket by Cricket Australia along with then skipper Steve Smith for his role in the ball-tampering saga which took place on the tour of South Africa.
Only recently, Warner and Smith were confirmed to take part in the inaugural Global T20 Canada which is set to get under way at the end of June.
“Dave is the best one-day and T20 batsman of the past decade so he’s perfectly placed to join our coverage for the UK series,” Channel Nine‘s director of sport Tom Malone said after the announcement.
Smith and Warner were earlier confirmed to play in the Global T20 league.
“People have tried to paint Dave as the villain in all this, but he’s been hurting as much as the others.
“We’ve had a professional relationship with Dave for five years now. We’ve always found him to be a pretty normal and humble bloke. He just wants to atone for his mistakes and move on – I hope Australia gives all of them that chance.”
England and Australia will play five ODIs with the fist getting under way on June 13. Australia’s short limited-overs tour of the country will culminate with a one-off T20I at Edgbaston on June 27.
The England tour is the first assignment for new Australia coach Justin Langer since he took over the role vacated by Darren Lehmann in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal. Wicket-keeper Tim Paine has been designated to lead the limited-overs outfit.
