Durham hope Latham return will end jinx
DURHAM are hoping an end to their overseas player jinx is in sight as Tom Latham prepares to make a comeback in the second team next week.
The New Zealand opener arrived six weeks ago to take over from under-performing South African Stephen Cook, but discovered that a foot injury was worse than thought.
Latham had been in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad. He didn’t feature in the competition, but Durham expected him to be fit for their championship match at home to Worcestershire on June 26.
When a stress fracture was diagnosed, he was fitted with a protective boot, which came off on Monday.
He is now in light training and could play in a three-day secondteam match against MCC Young Cricketers at High Wycombe, starting on Tuesday.
In a season already blighted by points deductions, Latham’s injury, following the disappointing form of Cook, has magnified Durham’s misfortunes. They also tried to sign Pakistani Imad Wasim for six NatWest T20 Blast matches, but his visa did not arrive in time to make it worthwhile.
There is little point in rushing Latham back into T20 action as Durham find themselves hopelessly marooned at the foot of the north group table.
After starting on minus four points and losing their first six games, mostly by wide margins, even winning the remaining eight would be unlikely to ensure progress.
The target will be to bring Latham in for the remaining five championship matches, starting against Leicestershire at Grace Road next Sunday.
The fall from T20 grace after the excitement of reaching last year’s final can be explained by the loss of experienced personnel.
The leading run scorers last year were Mark Stoneman with 356 and Keaton Jennings with 348, with Phil Mustard next on 290 prior to his departure for Gloucestershire.
Scott Borthwick played in every match and took 18 wickets, while Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Gordon Muchall and Calum MacLeod also contributed.
Usman Arshad pressed his claim for a return to senior action on Wednesday by making 69 off 45 balls in the second of two T20 games against Leicestershire seconds at Emirates Riverside. Both sides won one each.
After being a key member of the T20 line-up for the last two seasons, the 24-year-old all-rounder has been left out of the last three games.
There were also all-round contributions on Wednesday from paceman Brydon Carse, who is back to full fitness after being unable to bowl since appearing in the second championship match at Bristol in April.
Durham are at Worcester today glad they don’t have to face Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who hit 10 sixes in his 127 against them at New Road last year.