Suspended batsman Cameron Bancroft snapped up by Durham

Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft, who was suspended in March's ball-tampering row, will play English county cricket for Durham in 2019.

The 25-year-old, along with Australia captain Steve Smith and fellow batsman David Warner, were sanctioned by Cricket Australia after their involvement in a ploy to affect the ball in the third Test against South Africa.

Bancroft was banned for nine months while Smith and Warner are serving 12-month suspensions.

Durham announced on Friday morning that Bancroft would be available to play in all formats as their overseas player for next season.

"Cameron provides us with a very talented overseas signing who can bulk up our batting line up and help us compete for silverware," said the county's head coach Jon Lewis.

"Tom Latham has done a great job for us over the past two seasons but we anticipate Tom being unavailable due to the World Cup in 2019, therefore we were delighted to be able to bring Cameron in."

In a statement released by the club, Bancroft said he was "grateful for the opportunity".

"I am excited to join Durham for the 2019 county season," he added.

"With the Ashes and ODI World Cup both being played in the UK in 2019, it will be a huge summer of cricket.

"I am grateful for the opportunity and I can't wait to get over and make an impact with Durham."

The press release announcing Bancroft's signing made no mention of the ball-tampering scandal.