Former Australia captain Steve Smith and former Australia vice-captain David Warner were each banned for a year from international and domestic cricket by Cricket Australia in the aftermath of the ball tampering scandal in South Africa.

However, in some good news, both Smith and Warner might be soon seen playing club cricket, as the New South Wales Cricket Association (NSWCA) confirmed it would not stop them from playing grade cricket this season.

The third member of the banned duo, Cameron Bancroft might have to wait for some time as he is yet to receive clearance from the Western Australia District Cricket Council (WADCC) to play for his club in Perth this year.

Both NSWCA and WADCC have rules in place which state that a player suspended by Cricket Australia is ‘automatically disqualified from participation in WADCC Competitions for the duration of that suspension’.

However, CA’s verdict explicitly said that banned players are eligible and encouraged to play club cricket. This led to NSWCA to clear Warner and Smith for club level cricket. WADCC, on the other hand, has convened a meeting of its premier clubs to determine of Bancroft should be allowed to play or not.

Smith’s Sydney team Sutherland and Warner’s club side Randwick-Petersham have already extended support to their star players. Though, both clubs have clarified that neither Smith nor Warner will be considered for any leadership positions in their respective clubs for the ongoing season.