Cameron Bancroft has been granted special permission to play club cricket in Australia while serving a nine-month suspension for ball-tampering.

The opening batsman was banned from domestic and international cricket for nine months for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March.

But the Western Australia Cricket Association has cleared the 25-year-old to turn out for Willetton during the 2018/19 season.

A WACA tweet read: “The WADCC has granted Cameron Bancroft an exemption to play Premier Cricket for Willetton during the 2018-19 season.”

Bancroft incurred the suspension from Cricket Australia for his part in the ball-tampering controversy which engulfed Steve Smith’s tourists during the Cape Town Test against South Africa two months ago.

Captain Smith and his deputy David Warner were both banned from international and domestic cricket for a year after a plan was hatched to alter the condition of the ball at Newlands.

They are clear to play for their club sides in New South Wales, but a quirk of state association rules in Western Australia meant Bancroft needed an exemption to do so at the start of next season.

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews told Cricket Australia’s website: “I’m pleased to announce the Western Australia District cricket Council tonight approved Willetton’s application for an exemption to the rule that prevented Cameron from playing Premier cricket this season.

“It was strongly debated across a number of areas, but ultimately approved. It’s great news for Cameron, and I’d like to congratulate the WADCC on their decision.”