Latham to join Durham crusade

NEW ZEALAND batsman Tom Latham will come in as Durham’s overseas player in mid-summer when Stephen Cook joins the South African touring party.

Latham, 24, will return to the club that he featured for in 2010 after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy.

While Latham was part of Durham’s Academy and 2nd XI sides he also played in the North East Premier League with Gateshead Fell in 2010 and South Shields in 2013.

The left-hander said: “I am really looking forward to another stint in county cricket in 2017.

“It is even more exciting to be returning to Durham, a club that I am familiar with having played for the academy back in 2010.

“I can’t wait to get started with my new team mates and hope to be able to contribute positively both on and off the field.”

Latham also played county cricket last season having spent a short spell with Kent but he has now become a key feature of the New Zealand international side and hit career-best scores in both Tests and ODIs during the recent series against Bangladesh.

He has six centuries in his 29 Tests while he has also stepped up to replace Brendon McCullum as an opener in the ODI team after the stalwart retired from international cricket last year.

Durham head coach Jon Lewis said: “Tom is someone who we know well and we were very keen to renew the relationship.

“He has potential to build on his excellent record up to now and we are looking forward to welcoming him back to the club.”

Durham will play in Division Two of the County Championship having been relegated due to financial issues.

They will start the season on minus 48 points as further punishment.