Kiwi ace set for his first Durham start
WILL Young is in line to make his Durham debut today as the Riversiders take on Essex at The Cloudfm County Ground in Billericay in the LV County Championship.
The New Zealand batsman arrived in the North East last week on a short-term deal.
The 28-year-old completed his mandatory quarantine on Tuesday before training with the Durham squad yesterday.
Young will act as cover for Australian opener Cameron Bancroft, who is due to arrive at Chester-leStreet next month.
He made his Test debut for the Black Caps in December and played his first one-day internationals against Bangladesh last month.
Speaking after agreeing to join up with compatriot James Franklin, who is head coach at the Emirates Riverside, Young said: “I am happy to have signed for Durham.
“To play three first-class games for them will be an awesome opportunity to be exposed to English conditions and to face the new Dukes ball.
“It will be a fun opportunity to meet a new bunch of guys and experience county cricket, which is something I have always wanted to do.”
Young is an established toporder batsman at domestic level where he has captained the Central Stags in New Zealand’s first-class format, leading his side to success in both red and white-ball cricket.
A proven run scorer in domestic first-class cricket, he has amassed more than 5,000 runs, with 10 centuries and 29 half-centuries - with a highest score of 162.
Young for Michael Jones is the only change to the squad which drew with Nottinghamshire in its LV County Championship opener at Trent Bridge last week.
Jones has instead been in action for Durham’s seconds this week also against Essex at Billericay.
Last year’s Bob Willis Trophy winners Essex are again the team to beat this summer as they aim to pick up red-ball silverware for the third successive season.
Something which not been done since Yorkshire dominated the County Championship between 1966 and 1968.
Likely to be included in their side is former Engand captain and opener Sir Alastair Cook as well as overseas players Peter Siddle (Australia and Simon Harmer (South Africa).