Durham are back on the road today when they return to red ball action taking on Leicestershire in the LV=Insurance County Championship at the Uptonsteel County Ground.
A 14-player squad has been named for this week’s four-day encounter which includes a number of changes to the team which drew against Glamorgan last time out.
Ajaz Patel’s stint with Durham has now ended with the Kiwi returning back home to New Zealand, in his place Lancashire spinner Matt Parkinson has returned on loan and will be available for Durham until at least the end of July.
Durham can announce the signing of Raymond Toole a New Zealand quick bowler who joins the club on a short-term deal and could make his Durham debut against Leicestershire.
With 84 first-class wickets to his name, the left arm seamer plays for Central Districts and previously played for Essex in last year’s one-day cup campaign. Toole is currently playing club cricket for Shotley Bridge in the North East Premier League where he has taken 20 wickets.
Brydon Carse returns to the County Championship squad and although the England international is not yet fit to bowl he could return to the 11 as a batter only.
Brandon Glover is also in contention to make his Durham first-class debut having been included back in the 14 player squad.
Craig Miles who joined the club on loan from Warwickshire suffered a hamstring tear during our game with Glamorgan and as a result of this means his loan stint with Durham has ended.
Marcus North, Director of Cricket said: “Due to injuries and international call ups we have made some changes to the squad ahead of Durham’s LV=Insurance County Championship fixture against Leicestershire.
“Ajaz Patel has now finished his spell with the club and we thank him for his contributions in a Durham shirt, he played an important role during his time at the club and we wish him all the best for the future.
“As Ajaz has moved on, we have acted quickly with the return of Matt Parkinson on loan from Lancashire until at least the end of July. During Matt’s loan spell with us earlier in the season he fit into the group very well and are pleased to see he is returning to the club on a short-term basis.
“With Paul Coughlin, Brydon Carse, Ollie Gibson injured and Matthew Potts on England duty with the Ashes we felt the need to bring another quick bowler in to the club and with that we have signed Raymond Toole on a short-term deal. Raymond has been training with the club over the last few weeks and is a quick bowler who currently plays first-class cricket in New Zealand with Central Districts.
“We are currently in the final stages of securing an overseas bowler and we felt like that skill set will help us push towards success and support our current seam bowling group as we continue through the season.”
Squad v Leicestershire [25th June]
David Bedingham, Scott Borthwick*, Jonathan Bushnell, Brydon Carse, Graham Clark, Brandon Glover, Michael Jones, Alex Lees, Stanley McAlindon, Matt Parkinson, Ben Raine, Ollie Robinson, Raymond Toole, Liam Trevaskis
Match Centre
The Club’s match centre will be in operation for the fixture with live scorecards, statistics & video highlights as they happen. You can watch the game live via Durham’s match centre and Leicestershire YouTube channel. Durham Cricket will have full coverage on social media, with a full match report at the close.