Harding looking for Durham debut against leaders Yorkshire

GEORGE Harding has been called into Durham’s squad to take on Yorkshire Vikings in today’s Royal London One-Day Cup match.

The 20-year-old slow left-armer from Poole is yet to make his Durham debut but could be in line to start at Headingley against the current tabletoppers.

Harding is joined in the squad by experience bowler Graham Onions, the former England bowler having played in Monday’s second XI match with Northants.

If selected, it will be his first one-day match since 2015.

The pair replace Mark Wood and Barry McCarthy, who have been withdrawn by their respective national sides ahead of the upcoming ODI series between England and Ireland. Coach Jon Lewis is also still without Jack Burnham due to a broken thumb and Usman Arshad, who underwent ankle surgery in pre-season, while Brydon Carse also misses out.

The Vikings beat arch-rivals Lancashire on Monday to move top of the North group with two wins from two and will have England stars Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid available. Keaton Jennings’ men are also buoyed by a big win over reigning champions Warwickshire, with the skipper striking a majestic, career-best 139.

James Weighell’s five-wicket haul wrapped up victory to move Durham back into a positive points position for the first time in 2017.