Durham's overseas contingent raring to go

Captain Benkenstein
By Jon Steer
April 13 2006

Durham's contingent of overseas players should be complete today when Dale Benkenstein arrives at the Riverside ready to take on the role of captain. Australians Mick Lewis and Jimmy Mayer are already here as is Jamaican Gareth Breese.

Dale Benkenstein arrives from South Africa having just scored 151 in the SuperSport final on Sunday, the five day match between the Dolphins and the Titans ended in a draw which means that the SuperSport series will be shared. Dale will not be involved in either of the two friendly games that take place against Scotland at the Riverside today and tomorrow but almost all the remaining squad will take some part. Kyle Coetzer is unable to face his international teammates due to an injury.

Mick Lewis arrived at the Riverside on Tuesday to join fellow Australian Jimmy Mayer. With no forthcoming international commitments for the pair, Durham fans will be hoping for the rarity of seeing both overseas players in action for the entire season. Mayer was also in impressive form in a domestic final, scoring 223 while captaining the Queensland Bulls to a total of 900-6. The match against Victoria ended in a draw but Queensland take the Pura Cup because they finished above Victoria in the league stage. Mick Lewis was playing for Victoria in the same match and his only wicket was that of Jimmy Mayer...

Steve Harmison has also been passed fit and is hoping to be available for Durham's first match against Kent on Tuesday. Liam Plunkett and Paul Collingwood arrive back in the country on Monday but neither will be available for the Kent game.