David Warner will make his long-awaited return to cricket captaincy in Australia, after being confirmed as leader of the Sydney Thunder this summer.

David Warner was named captain of Big Bash League team Sydney Thunder on Wednesday, a fortnight after having his lifetime ban on any leadership role in Australian cricket lifted.

Former Test quick and Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland had spoken in favour of Warner at last month’s leadership ban review, noting a change in the hard-hitting left-hander since the 2018 saga.

Former Australian opener David Warner has been named captain of the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League, furthering his redemption story following the Cape Town ball-tampering saga.

David Warner’s lifetime captaincy and leadership ban has been lifted by Cricket Australia, a move which could see the retired test player captain the Sydney Thunder in the Twenty20 Big Bash league this season.

David Warner has been named Sydney Thunder captain following the lifting of his leadership ban by Cricket Australia. Warner, 37, was banned from cricket for 12 months and prevented from holding leadership positions as part of his punishment for the ball-tampering scandal in 2018 but that ban was overturned last month.

His lifetime leadership ban was overturned last month and he will now captain again in Australia before the end of his career