A captain’s knock from David Warner help extend Winnipeg’s campaign at the Global T20 in Canada. The opener’s 55, coupled with an unbeaten 65 from fellow Australian Ben McDermott, piloted the Hawks to a seven-wicket win over Edmonton in the elimination final.

Warner smacked four sixes, depositing one loose delivery from South African seamer Wayne Parnell over the temporary fence and into adjoining parklands on the outskirts of Toronto.

After a brief search from young fans and officials during the fifth over of the chase the ball was deemed lost.

Umpires looked set to replace the ball with a new shiny ball but Warner objected, shaking his finger and head while presumably asking for a customary like-for-like replacement.

An older ball was found after a delay as Winnipeg hauled in a target of 184 with one delivery to spare. Warner’s side next face Vancouver, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s final.

Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft are barred from representing their country, state or any Big Bash League franchise as part of the suspensions Cricket Australia imposed in the wake of the Cape Town cheating scandal.

Warner and Smith both elected to play in the new T20 league in Toronto. Bancroft recently returned to cricket in the NT Strike League in Darwin.

Warner started his comeback with scores of one, four, one, six and zero then regained some confidence with a knock of 42, also against Winnipeg. Smith’s stint with the Toronto Nationals is now over. He posted two half-centuries.

Smith and Warner have both agreed to play grade cricket this summer, for Sutherland and Randwick-Petersham respectively.

Influential industry figures are pushing for the terms of the bans to be softened, so Smith and Warner can play the second half of the Sheffield Shield season before a World Cup and Ashes series in England. However, CA insists that simply isn’t possible under the code of conduct.