DURHAM have added South African paceman Dewald Pretorius to their list of possibilities for their second overseas player next season.

They took the chance to have a look at the South Northumberland professional in Thursday's friendly against Scotland and in five overs he took four for four, including a hat-trick.

Durham then took him off in an attempt to make more of a contest of a match they won by 152 runs at the Chester-le-Street club ground.

Pretorius, 24, plays for Free State and appeared in one Test match against Australia early this year.

"He has been to a couple of nets and we wanted to see him in a game situation," said skipper Jon Lewis. "He looked very lively and bowled straight."

Neil Killeen and Ian Hunter opened the bowling and were unable to control the swing, with Hunter contributing 12 wides in seven overs to Scotland's meagre total of 139.

Durham made 291, with Ashley Thorpe hitting 103 and he now seems certain to make his senior competitive debut in tomorrow's National League match at Leicester.

Thorpe gets his chance because Paul Collingwood has a neck injury, and with Marc Symington unable to bowl because of a back problem, Ian Pattison is also in the squad.

Collingwood appears to have a disc problem and is to have a scan today amid concern that he might have to pull out of the England squad for the ICC Trophy in Sri Lanka, starting on September 12.

His absence at Grace Road tomorrow will be another big blow to Durham, who need to win their five remaining National League games to have any hope of surviving in division one. With their floodlit game against Glamorgan at the Riverside coming up on Wednesday, there is a danger they will be going into it with a depleted side and only pride to play for.

Durham have been on the receiving end of three centuries in losing two one-day games against Leicestershire this season.

Trevor Ward made 127 and Michael Bevan 113 in the Benson & Hedges Cup tie at Grace Road in May, while Darren Stevens hit 125 in the Foxes' National League win at the Riverside last month.

Leicestershire are short of bowling, but their depth of batting has made sure they have avoided the expected struggles this season.

Durham's resources, on the other hand, look very stretched without Collingwood and Martin Love, especially as they are unable to call on Gordon Muchall because of his England Under-19 duties.

Durham (from): J J B Lewis, N Peng, M A Gough, D R Law, A Thorpe, G Pratt, A Pratt, I D Hunter, N C Phillips, N Killeen, A M Davies, I Pattison.

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