Durham C.C.C. Transfers

PLAYERS COMING IN

There has been limited activity so far at the Riverside, not necessarily a surprise when one considers the strength of the squad already plying their trade in the North-East.

England Under-19 international Ben Stokes has signed a two-year professional contract with Durham, having featured for the Academy and second XI sides since 2007.

Born in New Zealand, Stokes, 18, made his limited overs debut for the Durham first-team last season in the Friends Provident Trophy against Surrey at the Brit Oval. His first victim was the run machine himself, Mark Ramprakash, he also cleaned up Matthew Spriegel, and finished with figures of 2-22 off five overs to go with his 11 not out.

He played one further FP Trophy game in 2009 and made a debut appearance in the Pro40 format but is yet to make his debut in the longer form of the game.

Stokes has just competed in the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, where he averaged in excess of 40 with the bat (thanks largely to an outstanding hard-hitting 100 against India), and took seven wickets at 19.57.

This is no doubt this is the next step in his development, and while he may be restricted to a few limited-overs appearances, his time will surely come.

Durham have also signed young wicket-keeper batsman Michael Richardson, son of former South African keeper Dave, who is now the ICC General Manager for cricket. Michael spent 2009 with MCC Young Cricketers, and is expected to be back-up for Phil Mustard now Lee Goddard has moved back to Derby.

One position still vacant is that of the overseas player. It was West Indian Shiv Chanderpaul that Durham opted for again in 2009, but his participation was limited to just five County Championship matches, of which he typically made the most of, with scores of 0, 41*, 117*, 109*, 4 and 201*. A tough act to follow with Chanderpaul very unlikely to return.

The question is whether Durham settle for a player of lesser quality that is available all summer or simply make do with fleeting visits of fully fledged international cricketers, whose availabilty make it difficult for anything other than that.

Australian Mike Hussey had been mooted, but his spare time is extremely limited with the hectic international schedule.


POTENTIAL TARGETS

Rumours of interest in Matthew Hoggard were perhaps wide of the mark due to the depth of quality Durham have in the pace bowling department.

Michael Di Venuto shouldered much of the batting burden, along with Dale Benkenstein, in 2009, and perhaps a partner for Di Venuto may be high on the list of targets for Geoff Cook, unless faith is shown in Kyle Coetzer. Mark Stoneman and Coetzer shared the duties alongside Di Venuto in 2009, with neither making an exceptionally strong case to keep that position for this season.

There are few weaknesses in this Durham squad, but the best time to strengthen is when you are at the top.


CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

Two key players of the last few years, quick bowler Steve Harmison and keeper-batsman Phil Mustard have both extended their stay at the Riverside.

Mustard has added a further year onto his contract, meaning he is scheduled to remain at the club till the end of the 2012 season.

With impressive performances throughout 2009, Mustard will no doubt have his eye on Matt Prior's position with England, especially in the shorter forms of the game.

The value of having a genuine match-winner in the form of Steve Harmison in the side is clearly invaluable, so there must have been many happy faces around Durham when he penned a new four-year deal, extending his stay with Durham till at least the end of 2013.


LEAVING DURHAM.....

The Durham squad will have a most familiar look about it in 2010, as mentioned earlier, Lee Goddard, the reserve keeper whose opportunities have been limited due to the excellent form of Mustard, has returned to Derbyshire.

The experienced New Zealand spinner Paul Wiseman has called time on his playing career to take on a coaching role within Canterbury cricket.