Chris Rushworth is ready to embrace the role of the leader of Durham’s bowling attack for the 2018 season after the departure of Graham Onions over the winter.
Onions and Paul Coughlin combined for 59 first-class wickets last term, with the former England Test bowler averaging of 22.65 in his eight matches.
But Rushworth led the way for Durham with 47 scalps, maintaining his high standards with the red ball.
And the 31-year-old now has to lead a youthful attack, which has shown signs of potential, but remains an unknown commodity over the course of a full Championship campaign.
Rushworth said: “I have to see myself as the leader of the bowling unit. You look at the guys that we’ve got in the squad I think I am by far and away the most experienced bowler. Now I’ve got to take on that level of seniority and take the younger guys under my wing.
“I’ve got to help them along and get their careers up and running the best way that I can. It’s something that I’m looking forward to do doing and hopefully the club can continue to produce more top-class fast bowlers.”
Durham has a proud tradition of producing elite pacemen with Simon Brown, Steve Harmison, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood and Onions all representing England at Test level.
Rushworth is upbeat that the county will continue in the vein of creating quality bowlers and feels that the current crop of youngsters, including Matthew Potts, are brimming with talent.
He added: “We’ve got a strong history of producing fast bowlers. Looking at the squad that we have now and take myself out, all the bowlers are very young.
“We’ve got [Nathan] Rimmington coming and he’s another experienced guy, but you’re looking at [James] Weighell, [Brydon] Carse and Potts – there’s plenty of youth there and they’ve all got huge potential. It’s now a case of making sure that they realise that early and they get stuck into their careers.”
Despite the youthful nature of Durham’s bowling ranks, Rushworth is adamant he will not be putting himself under any additional strain with the ball to lead the way for the county this term.
“I wouldn’t say I was under more pressure because you’re always putting yourself under pressure to perform. Obviously everyone wants to take wickets and win games, so it’s just a case of doing the things that I have been doing,” he said.
“If I want to lead the attack the only way I can do it is by taking wickets and performing. I’m entering the season with the same mindset as I have over the past five years.”