Kamau Leverock will line up against some of the top players in world cricket this summer after being drafted by the Vancouver Knights for the inaugural Global T20 Canada.

Leverock, who announced he was taking a break from international cricket last week, will join West Indies trio Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Evin Lewis, and New Zealand’s Tim Southee in the Knights’ 14-man squad after being drafted as their twelfth pick.

“Glory to God for new opportunities,” Leverock tweeted yesterday. “Excited to get around some top players.”

Among the notable players taking part are Steve Smith, the former Australia captain, and opening batsman David Warner, who were both given 12-month suspensions for their role in the ball-tampering scandal against South Africa in March.

The Knights will be coached by Donovan Miller, the director of the Chris Gayle Academy and assistant coach of Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League.

The five other teams involved in the competition to be held at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club near Toronto from June 28 to July 15, are Edmonton Royals, Montreal Tigers, Toronto Nationals, Winnipeg Eagles and a Cricket West Indies representative team.

Leverock, who has been playing for Nottinghamshire Second XI this season, was part of the Bermuda team which suffered relegation at the ICC World Cricket League Division Four tournament in Malaysia last month. The 23-year-old was suspended for the first two matches, defeats by Denmark and Uganda, because of an outburst in training. He was named man of the match in Bermuda’s third game after scoring 66 in a win over Jersey.

Phil Simmons, who led the West Indies to glory in the ICC World Twenty20 in India in 2016, is coaching the Nationals, while Waqar Younis, the legendary Pakistan fast bowler, will coach the Eagles.

“I am looking forward to sharing my coaching experience with Toronto Nationals and would like to congratulate Cricket Canada and Global T20 Canada for this initiative,” Simmons said.

Waqar, who took 373 Test wickets, said: “I look forward to this experience. I have fond memories of playing in Toronto in the 1990s.

“I still remember the kind of excitement it created at that time and this time it should be no different. Global T20 has announced some magnificent names as marquee players.”

Tom Moody, the former Australia batsman, who will coach the Tigers, added: “This is truly a wonderful opportunity for the game in Canada and North America.

“I am delighted to be involved as one of the head coaches of the league. I will do everything possible in my role to support the success of this tournament.”

Also included in the list of marquee players are West Indies trio Daren Sammy, Sunil Narine and Dwayne Bravo.

More than 1,500 from Canada and around the world registered for selection for the draft, which took place yesterday.