CAMERON BANCROFT has been appointed the new captain at Durham Cricket.

The Australian opener will skipper both the Specsavers County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup sides.

Bancroft will spend the 2019 campaign as the club’s overseas signing, but will miss the opening game at Derbyshire on April 5 as he must attend an end of season awards dinner in Perth at the insistence of his Sheffield Shield side.

The 26-year-old international has featured in eight Test matches and opened the batting against England in the 2017 Ashes.

He was banned from cricket for nine months for his part in the ball tampering scandal in South Africa with Baggy Green team-mates Steve Smith and David Warner, but has been in fine form in the Sheffield Shield since his return.

Durham Cricket coach James Franklin, said: “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.

“He has invaluable experience at the top level and has enjoyed a successful spell in England before, during his time with Gloucestershire.

“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.”

Alex Lees will captain the side for their Durham University MCCU fixture starting on Tuesday, March 26 and the Championship opener at Derbyshire.