David Warner All Set to Make Northern Territory Strike League Debut

Sanctioned Australia batsman David Warner is likely to play his first match in Australia since the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal surfaced during the Test series against South Africa.

Meanwhile, Warner is currently serving a 12-month long ban from first-class, List A and Big Bash League (BBL) cricket in Australia for his role in the scandal after being penalised by Cricket Australia (CA).

However, the explosive opener Warner will play two matches for City Cyclones in the Northern Territory’s Strike League.

The former Australia deputy skipper Warner will make his debut against Northern Tide at Marrara on Saturday (July 21). Then, he will face Cameron Bancroft’s Desert Blaze on Sunday (July 22).

According to a report, Warner has reached NT on Thursday.

Bancroft, who is also serving a nine-month ban for tampering the ball, has already played six matches in the tournament.

On the process, he has scored 155 runs at an average of 25.80. Bancroft failed to reach 10 in his first three games. But has found form with two half-centuries of late.

Warner, however, didn’t have a good time in Canada averaging only 13.63 across eight innings. He represented Winnipeg Hawks but struggled to make an impact.

Bancroft’s former captain, Steven Smith, also took part in the Global T20 League and enjoyed a more fruitful tournament.

Smith scored 167 runs at an average of 33.4 but failed to take the league by storm on challenging wickets.

Furthermore, he is also serving a 12-month ban and will be able to lead Australia in the coming two years as he alongside David Warner faced an axe, as of now.

Smith is set to return to cricket in Australia for Sutherland at the start of the Sydney Grade season.

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