Cameron Bancroft is all set to lead Durham after Paul Collingwood’s retirement, as the English County side has named the Australian opener as their Captain for their County Championship and One-Day Cup campaigns this season on Friday, 22 March.

After serving a nine-month ban last year for his role in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, Bancroft returned to action in December, joined Durham side as their overseas signing for 2019.

The Western Australian left-hander has replaced England all-rounder Collingwood, who retired at the end of the 2018 season and Durham's Lead High-Performance Coach James Franklin welcomed Cameron’s appointment as their captain.

Franklin told the club's website, “He's proven since returning to first-class cricket over the last few months that he has the mental toughness, skill, and attitude to excel at the highest level and I'm sure he will relish the challenge we have at Durham this season.”

He continued, “He has invaluable experience at the top level and has enjoyed a successful spell in England before, during his time with Gloucestershire. We're delighted to have Cameron with us for the season and we're confident he has the attributes to lead this exciting young Durham dressing-room.”

Noteworthy, the 26-year-old Bancroft will miss Durham's first County Championship match against Derbyshire on 5 April but will be available to play in their second game against Sussex.

(With BBC Inputs)