Former Aussie Test seamer Siddle to make Durham debut at Utilita Bowl

Former Australia seamer Peter Siddle could make his Durham debut at the Utilita Bowl tomorrow.

The 39-year-old has been drafted in as a replacement for his injured compatriot Scott Boland.

Boland was the club’s marquee overseas signing, on a multi-format deal that would have seen him feature in Durham's T20 Blast campaign.

However, a foot injury caused him to arrive too late for their opening County Championship Division One fixture against Hampshire, where all four days were rained off.

Boland subsequently managed just 13 wicketless overs on debut against

Warwickshire before breaking down with his injury.

Siddle is no stranger to county cricket, having played for Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, Essex and, last season, Somerset - taking a combined 189-wicket haul at an average of 22.98.

Hampshire dropped into the bottom two on Monday following Kent’s win against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

They are four points above Lancashire, having had two points deducted for a slow over rate.

Hampshire return to action tomorrow for the first time since an innings thrashing against defending champions Surrey at The Oval.

One top order batter in need of runs is opener Ali Orr, who has managed just 59 in five innings following his close season arrival from Sussex.

Bowling wise, spinner Liam Dawson is easily Hampshire’s leading wickettaker so far with 12.

Seamers Kyle Abbott and Mo Abbas have each taken just five wickets from the same amount of overs - 89.

Durham have won once so far, beating Worcestershire by 185 runs, helped by a second innings 138 from South African Test batter David Bedingham. Last time out they drew with leaders Essex, though the third day’s play was completely lost due to bad weather.