DURHAM coach Jon Lewis is confident that “righting a wrong” will give his players all the motivation they need next season.

Following the shock of the ECB requiring them to start 48 points adrift at the foot of division two, Lewis said: “We’ve spoken to the players at some length and their attitude is outstanding. They are 100 per cent positive about what we can still achieve.

“There’s a long winter ahead but I’m reasonably confident we’re not going to have to motivate them. The idea of righting a wrong is definitely uppermost in their minds.”

Lewis, who admitted he was deeply shocked by the severity of the punishment, added that he and everyone else at the club had been lifted by the outpouring of support.

“It has been extraordinary. We thought we’d get a bit but we seem to be officially everybody’s second county now. Even those who have no interest in cricket!

“We’ve had football clubs taking out memberships, we’ve had members of other counties taking out memberships with no thought of ever using them to be supportive of Durham.

“Some of our older members have refused to take a pensioner’s membership and insisted on paying for a full one because they want to support the county.

“I’ve been stopped in the street in Consett by members telling me how supportive they are. In a tough week it was amazing to have that come through.

“Even other coaches have sent emails saying, ‘It’s tough, really rough, but if anyone can get out of it, it’s you.’ It’s been way beyond what anyone could have expected.”

After de-registering nine players, Lewis is hopeful of being able to sign at least one in addition to opening batsman Cameron Steel, who was handed a summer development contract last week.

“We already knew the winter ahead was going to be quite tricky,” he said. “There’s not a lot of money about, so it’s about developing what we’ve got.

“There may be the opportunity to add one player but the dust is still settling. Either way, I’m pretty confident we can go forward with the players we’ve got.

“You could argue moving down to division two we have a right to expect success, but having had nine players de-registered we still have a few gaps.

“This club has a strong reputation for is developing its own. It’s what we’ve always done. If we were a side who’d relied for the last ten years on recruiting the best players from around the country it would probably be a bit more daunting.”

Tickets have gone on general sale for next year’s NatWest T20 International between England and the West Indies at Emirates Riverside.

On Saturday, September 16, the sides meet for the first time since April’s last-over thriller in the ICC World T20 final. Tickets start at £35 for selected stands, with premium seating priced at £40 and juniors admitted for £10. You can book online or call the Box Office on 0844 499 4466.