David Warner will return to the competitive game in the Sydney Premier Cricket circuit with Randwick Petersham, it was confirmed on Thursday, May 17.

As of now, Warner has agreed to play the ‘first three or four’ matches of the season for the club, Mike Whitney, the Randwick Petersham president, was quoted as saying by Australian media outlets.

“We’re delighted to have him. He’s one of the best players Australia has had since World War Two,” gushed Whitney, the former fast bowler who played 12 Tests and 38 ODIs between 1981 and 1993.

“He’s been speaking to one of our club officials and he has committed to the first three or four rounds of the season. Why it is only three or four rounds at this stage, I don’t know,” added Whitney.

“Everyone is excited to have him. He will be great in the changing rooms with younger players.”

Whitney also confirmed that Warner, banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months following his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa earlier this year, would be joining the pre-season training and help the club’s youngsters.

Warner has been with Randwick Petersham since 2013-14 after joining them from Eastern Suburbs, but hasn’t played much cricket for the club because of his other commitments.

But with the ban – Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft are also similarly affected – coming in, Warner can only play grade cricket for the time being.