Surrey interested in banned Aussies

Surrey coach Michael Di Venuto has confirmed he would be keen to sign one of Australia's banned Test stars, if allowed by English administrators.

Di Venuto was Australia's batting coach until 2016 and remains close to both Steve Smith and David Warner, who are serving 12-month bans from international and Australian domestic cricket following the ball tampering scandal in South Africa.

Cameron Bancroft, who was issued with a nine-month suspension, had his contract with Somerset ripped up following the incident, while Smith and Warner lost their IPL deals, worth A$2.4m each.

The trio are only permitted to play Premier cricket in Australia, and must complete a minimum of 100 hours of community service for club cricket, but their bans do not prevent them from playing in England, although it would require approval from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Test allrounder Mitch Marsh was Surrey's overseas signing for the season, but he is now unavailable following ankle surgery. 

Marsh had successful surgery in Melbourne last week, and on his return home to Perth to begin his rehabilitation, said he hoped to return to Surrey for the back end of the season, and was confident he would be fit for Australia's planned Test series against Pakistan in the UAE.

South Africa opener Dean Elgar was signed by Surrey for April and May leaving another overseas spot available for the second half of the season.

India Test captain Virat Kohli has also been linked with Surrey in what would be a highly-regarded move for the batsman who has a shocking record in English conditions. India's tour of England begins with six limited-overs matches in early July before five Tests in August and September.

Australia play five ODIs and a T20 in England in June and will defend their World Cup crown in the country next year followed by an attempt to win a first away Ashes series since 2001.

None of Smith, Warner or Bancroft will have played any first-class cricket in Australia before the start of the World Cup and Di Venuto believes a spell in England would benefit the players and Australia.

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

"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."

Meanwhile, Glamorgan coach Robert Croft believes Australia batsman Shaun Marsh won't be affected by any sledging about ball tampering.

"It is not an issue for me," Croft told PA Sport.

"Shaun was not mentioned in any of that - and do you think an Aussie ever worries about chirping?

"But if he does get any of that I think he's the type of chap to just stare them down."

Qantas ODI Tour of England

June 7 Warm-up v Sussex, Hove (D/N)

June 9 Warm-up v Middlesex, Lord's

June 13 First ODI, The Oval (D/N)

June 16 Second ODI, Cardiff

June 19 Third ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)

June 21 Fourth ODI, Durham (D/N)

June 24 Fifth ODI, Old Trafford

June 27 Only T20, Edgbaston (D/N)