Generated with Avocode. Generated with Avocode.
13th February 2009

Durham CCC confirm pre season tour to South Africa

This will be the first opportunity for new captain Will Smith to get together with the team prior to the start of the season.  The itinerary includes six one day matches against a number of opposing sides including Worcestershire CCC, Namibia, the Strikers and North West.

Mark Davies and Liam Plunkett, who go to New Zealand with England Lions in February, will meet the team in South Africa.

Kyle Coetzer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Stephen Harmison and Paul Collingwood will not be travelling to South Africa due to their respective international commitments.

The team return to the region on Monday 6 April before travelling to London on Wednesday 8 April ahead of the season opener against an MCC Select XI at Lord’s which starts on Thursday 9 April.

Durham County Cricket Club Head Coach, Geoff Cook, said: “This is our third year of pre season preparation in South Africa, previous visits have certainly been of great benefit and have been incredibly useful for getting the team together before the start of the season to discuss our targets and aims for the summer.  It will be especially useful for us this year as we go into the season with a new captain, Will Smith, who I know will want to get to grips in his new role.” 

Tuesday 24 March – Depart Newcastle
Wednesday 25 March – Arrive South Africa
Thursday 26 March – Nets/Training
Friday 27 March – Durham CCC v Worcestershire CCC
Saturday 28 March – Durham CCC v North West
Sunday 29 March – Practice/Nets
Monday 30 March – Durham CCC v Strikers
Tuesday 31 March – Nets/Training
Wednesday 1 April – Durham CCC v Namibia
Thursday 2 April – Durham CCC v North West
Friday 3 April – Nets/Training
Saturday 4 April – Durham CCC v Worcestershire CCC
Sunday 5 April – Depart South Africa
Monday 6 April – Arrive Newcastle

Dale Benkenstein
Scott Borthwick
Ian Blackwell
Gareth Breese
Mitchell Claydon
Mark Davies
Michael Di Venuto
Luke Evans
Will Gidman
Lee Goddard
Ben Harmison
Neil Killeen
Phil Mustard
Gordon Muchall
Graham Onions
Liam Plunkett
Will Smith
Mark Stoneman
Callum Thorp
Paul Wiseman

Geoff Cook (Head Coach)
Jon Lewis (Second Eleven Coach)
Nigel Kent (Physio)
Michael King (Fitness Coach)

The latest news from the tour will be posted on the Durham CCC website. Durham Dynamos first home match is on Sunday 19 April when they take on local rivals Yorkshire Carnegie.  Tickets are priced at £12 for adults when purchased in advance (£15 on the day of the game) or £5 for juniors (£6 on the day).  Group offers are also available.  For more details contact the Box Office on 0844 499 4466.