Former Australian cricketer Michael Di Venuto keen to lure ball tampering trio to Surrey

Former Australian cricketer Michael Di Venuto has said he would be happy to throw banished trio Steve Smith, David Warner or Cameron Bancroft a lifeline to play for English county club, Surrey.

Smith and Warner’s careers are in limbo after they received 12-month suspensions, while Bancroft copped a nine-month ban for their roles in the ball tampering scandal against South Africa.

There has been speculation previously that Smith or Warner could end up with an English county team but this would be pending approval from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Di Venuto, who was Australia’s batting coach until 2016 and is now the coach of Surrey, said a spell in England would benefit the players.

David Warner (l) and Steve Smith received 12-month suspensions for their roles in the ball tampering scandal. (AAP)

Aussie allrounder Mitchell Marsh was Surrey’s overseas signing for the season but is now unavailable after undergoing ankle surgery.

South Africa’s Dean Elgar has stepped in to fill the void until May with an overseas spot still to be filled for the second half of the season.  

“From an Australian perspective, it is probably important that they play a bit of cricket at some stage,” Di Venuto said.

MORE

» Former coach rubbishes poor culture claims

» Cricket Australia denies Langer reports

» Smith could call games during ban

“I don’t know if they are allowed to play in this competition. I know what it states in their sanctions that they can’t play domestic cricket in Australia.

“We have got a relationship with Mitch to see how he goes with his ankle but we have got a spot we have got to fill as well.

“So, if they are in the right mental state to play cricket and the ECB will have to allow it to start with, then we’d be mad not to look at some of the world’s best players potentially playing.”

Working against the Aussies is the fact that Bancroft had a deal with English county team Somerset before losing it to teammate Matt Renshaw.

Renshaw, who replaced Bancroft for the final Test of the tour against South Africa, said he was confident his ex-teammate would bounce back from the scandal.

"It's a tough scenario to be in and I feel for Cameron, but I think he'll be back at some point," Renshaw said.

"He's a really good bloke and a really good cricketer. Hopefully he'll be back bigger and stronger."