Disgraced Aussie opener David Warner has added to his workload by signing up with St Lucia Stars for the Caribbean Premier League 2018.
The 31-year-old, currently serving a 12-month ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in March, will replace fellow Australian D’Arcy Short, who became unavailable for the franchise after he was called up to the Australia A squad for their tour of India in August and September.
The sixth edition of CPL is set to begin on 8 August and will go on till 16 September, with St Lucia facing Trinbago Knight Riders in the opening fixture.
‘We are excited to bring David to the Saint Lucia Stars,’ said Mohammad Khan, the St Lucia general manager. ‘David is arguably one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era and a winning player. He is going to add a lot of value on the field and in the dressing room as we pursue our first CPL title.’
Warner, along with former Australia captain Steve Smith, received a 12-month ban from Cricket Australia for attempting to alter the conditions of the ball during the Cape Town Test match against South Africa in March 2018. Cameron Bancroft was also banned by Cricket Australia for nine months.
The development is the latest in Warner’s attempts to stay involved with cricket since being banned. He is set to return to the field during the Global T20 Canada League later in June, after signing with Winnipeg Hawks.
Look who is coming to #Toronto @davidwarner31 @canadiancricket #GT20Canada #SixesInTheSix pic.twitter.com/GBnQrYmzsa
— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) June 4, 2018
The former Australian vice-captain is also set to play a part of the grade cricket season with Sydney-based Randwick Petersham this year, and has signed up to play in Northern Territory Cricket’s Strike League, which includes both T20 and one-day games in Darwin.
Warner has played in T20 tournaments the world over, but this will be his first appearance in the CPL. The last time he was in the Caribbean, Warner scored 109 in an ODI against South Africa in 2016.
Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
