Davies' career in doubt (From The Northern Echo)
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Davies' career in doubt
10:00am Friday 7th October 2011 in Durham CCC
INJURY WORRY: Mark Davies on crutches during the team photo call in April
Seamer Mark Davies is to meet chief executive David Harker on Monday to decide whether there is any point in trying to prolong his injury-ravaged career.
Davies, who was 31 this week, took only two wickets in six appearances last year and managed only a few second team games this season because of a foot problem.
A scan has shown that he needs another operation if he is to have any hope of continuing his career.
The brother of the similarly troubled former Middlesbrough footballer, Andrew Davies, Mark has a year left on his contract. But a decision could be taken to pay him off.
It would be a sad end to a career which took him to England A status. With 253 wickets at 22.63 he has the best average of any English bowler currently playing who has taken more than 100 wickets.
Despite releasing batsmen Kyle Coetzer and Ben Harmison, coach Geoff Cook does not expect to make any new signings.
"With Paul Collingwood coming on board we are very close to the salary cap,'' he said. "Steve Harmison, Graham Onions and Collingwood are towards the top end of the scale for county cricketers.
"I think we're OK for batsmen and we'll be giving Scott Borthwick the chance to move up the order when the opportunity arises.''
Ben Stokes' finger problem means that he is unlikely to advance his England career this winter, so he should be available to Durham at the start of next season.
"The ECB medical people are trying to work out the best way forward for him,'' said Cook. "He was in some discomfort in the one-day internationals he played and he hasn't been able to bowl since he suffered the injury at the end of May.''
Durham are expected to announce soon that Player of the Year Dale Benkenstein has extended his contract.
He has one year left on his current deal and will continue to work on his coaching qualifications this winter. But after an outstanding season his priority is to continue playing as long as possible.
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