DURHAM hope to have the services of John Hastings for the whole of next season following his release by his Indian Premier League side, Chennai Superkings.

The IPL franchises announced their retained lists yesterday and Hastings was omitted by CSK, along with fellow Australians Ben Hilfenhaus and David Hussey.

They could still go into next month's auction, but Durham coach Jon Lewis said: “That is not John's ambition, although things could change if he does really well in Australia's Big Bash League.

“The financial loss of missing out on an IPL contract is quite enormous, so we wouldn't put any pressure on him to turn one down. But he isn't keen to repeat last season's lack of involvement.”

Hastings joined Durham at the end of May, having played in only one of CSK's IPL matches, then had to return to India for the Champions League in early September, forcing him to miss Durham's Royal London Cup final triumph at Lord's. Again he played only once in the Champions League.

“We'd love to have him for the full season and hopefully he'll be here at the beginning of April,” said Lewis, who also reported that Durham's other bowlers are on track to start the season.

Graham Onions is doing well after his back operation. He should be bowling by early February and Mark Wood is reported to be bowling with good pace. He's just back from a stint in South Africa with the England Performance Programme.

“Jamie Harrison is recovering well from his knee operation and Paul Coughlin is looking to bowl early in the New Year after his back trouble.”