Di Venuto undecided over Durham future
Australian batsman Michael Di Venuto has admitted he is in two minds about returning to Riverside next season.
The 33-year-old former Derbyshire captain signed a one-year contract at the beginning of the season and played a pivotal role in Durham's outstanding success.
Di Venuto finished top of Durham's County Championship averages with 1,329 runs at an outstanding 66.45 average with the highlight a brilliant unbeaten 204 against Kent at the Riverside in May.
The former Australian one-day international batsman was frustrated that he struggled to find his best form in the limited overs competitions-averaging 30.14 in the NatWest Pro40, 14.5 in the Twenty20 Cup, and 18.3 in the Friends Provident Trophy-but has vowed to improve if he reappears in 2008.
"I don't know at this stage if I am going back next year because it's a long county summer and I've got a big season coming up with Tasmania (this winter)," Di Venuto said.
"I will make a decision during the Australian summer when I know how my body is feeling. I was pleased with my County Championship form for Durham this year because we played well as a team and I had so many good players around me.
"It's hard to know why I didn't make more one-day runs. I don't think there are any technical issues it's just one of those things that I kept getting a start but didn't go on to make any big scores which is disappointing so I want to put that right if I go back."
Di Venuto admitted that after leaving Derbyshire in acrimonious circumstances last year he never expected Durham to be in contention for a domestic treble.
He was, however, more than happy to be proved wrong when the Riversiders won the first piece of silverware in the club's history-the Friends Provident Trophy - against Hampshire at Lord's in August and came within a whisker of snatching the biggest prize of all-the First Division of the County Championship-going into the final match of the season.
But with a first place finish securing promotion to the First Division of the NatWest Pro40 on top of their Friends Provident glory, Di Venuto now believes that an unprecedented treble is well within Durham's grasp next season.
"The best thing about playing for Durham this year is that we did everything as a team and the fans were rewarded for their support by watching a winning team playing some excellent cricket," Di Venuto said.
"We had one hand on the County Championship trophy until Sussex won their last game but we were outstanding in the one-day competitions and being a part of such a great day in Durham's history when we won the Friends Provident Trophy is definitely one of the highlights if my county career.
"We targeted the Twenty20 Cup as well but it was the only competition we didn't play very well in. I think the team will improve because we've got so many good players.
"Dale Benkenstein captained the team really well and he was very consistent with the bat, Shiv Chanderpaul is one the best players in the world, and Ottis Gibson deserves to be Player of the Year, because he bowled brilliantly in just about every game and he also got a few runs.
"I thought Stephen Harmison bowled exceptionally in the first half of the season and Liam Plunkett proved his class when we needed him.
"Liam is one of the most talented fast bowlers I have ever played with. He has a few things to learn but when he gets it right he is as good as any bowler going around and I'm sure he will get back into the England Test and one-day sides because I haven't seen too many better bowlers."
And Di Venuto added: "Durham are already one of the best sides in county cricket so if the players keep being consistent they could win the treble next year."
Di Venuto also predicted a glittering future for Durham wicket-keeper Phil Mustard who has been called into England's one-day squad for the current tour of Sri Lanka.
"Phil deserves his chance because he was superb this season," he said
10:50am Wednesday 3rd October 2007
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