SUSPENDED batsman David Warner will serve part of his ball-tampering ban while commentating for Channel Nine.

The network announced on Saturday night that Warner will join their commentary team during Australia’s one-day tour of England, which starts on Wednesday night.

His first match behind the microphone will be for the second ODI on Saturday, although it remains unclear if he will commentate during the remainder of his 12-month ban.

Nine’s Director of Sport Tom Malone said the network weren’t deterred by the 31-year-old’s suspension, despite being painted by Cricket Australia as the ringleader of the Cape Town ball-tampering trio, which included Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft.

“People have tried to paint Dave as the villain in all this, but he’s been hurting as much as the others,” Malone said.

“We’ve had a professional relationship with Dave for five years now we’ve always found him to be a pretty normal and humble bloke.”

“He just wants to atone for his mistakes and move on - I hope Australia gives all of them that chance.”

Malone added that Warner is ‘the best one-day and T20 batsman of the past decade’, which makes him well-suited to the commentary role.

After commentating in the UK, Warner will set off for Canada where he will make his competitive return to cricket in the Global T20 tournament.

He was locked in for the inaugural edition of the tournament after being drafted in the third round to play for Winnipeg Hawks.

The tournament, which is set run from June 28 to July 15 in Toronto, will also mark Steve Smith’s return to the game.

The deposed Australian Test skipper was drafted for Toronto Nationals, leading to the possibility of a Smith v Warner showdown at the tournament.