Former banned Australian cricketer named Durham captain

Australian Cameron Bancroft has been named captain for County Championship side Durham after serving a cricket ban.

The disgraced batsman was issued a nine-month suspension from the sport for being involved in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Bancroft’s involvement in the scandal also led to Aussie captain Steve Smith and deputy Dave Warner receiving year-long bans from cricket.

However, the 26-year-old’s past history has not deterred the North-East county from signing the Australian as their overseas player. The county’s Specsavers County Championship and Royal London One Day Cup campaigns later this year will be led by Bancroft.

The Australian is set to take the skipper’s duty following the retirement of Paul Collingwood.

Lead high performance coach James Franklin said of the appointment of Bancroft as Durham captain:

“We’re delighted to have Cameron with us for the season,” he said, “We’re confident he has the attributes to lead this exciting young Durham dressing room.

“He has invaluable experience at the top level and has enjoyed a successful spell in England before, during his time with Gloucestershire.

“He’s proven since returning to first-class cricket over the last few months that he has the mental toughness, skill and attitude to excel at the highest level and I’m sure he will relish the challenge we have at Durham this season.”