DURHAM have stepped in smartly to make sure they hang on to coach Martyn Moxon in the face of a challenge from Yorkshire.

The Tykes sounded out Moxon about returning to his native county after parting company with Australian coach Wayne Clark.

But with a year of his three-year contract with Durham still to go, the former Yorkshire and England batsman was already negotiating for an extension.

"The approach from Yorkshire concentrated our minds," said Durham chairman Bill Midgley. "We were looking at giving him another year on his contract, but we have now extended that to two.

"That means he has a further three years with us, although there are performance indicators built into the contract which would let us out of it if we don't see some improvement.

"We are very happy with the way Martyn has progressed the club. The young players are coming on well and he has got to grips with other problems and is getting the balance right. The last thing we want at the moment is another change."

Durham finished bottom of the County Championship's second division last season and after winning promotion in the one-day league in Moxon's first season they were immediately relegated.

The reasons for his resignation as Yorkshire coach after the 2000 season have now been removed, especially as chief executive Chris Hassall is no longer with the club.

After winning the title in Clark's first season, they were relegated last year under the Australian double act of Clark and skipper Darren Lehmann and the new Director of Cricket, Geoff Cope, is clearly determined to go back to having Yorkshiremen in control.

They have now appointed Kevin Sharp as batting coach, but Moxon appears to have been their first choice.

Midgley added: "I'm not sure how tempted Martyn was by the Yorkshire approach, but with a year to go on his contract I would expect any professional sportsman to look at his options. It's a compliment to Martyn that people respect his credentials and we still think he has a lot to offer."

Durham are stepping up their search for a temporary replacement for Martin Love at the start of next season.

The Queenslander expects to go on Australia's tour to the West Indies in April and May, although the squad will not be officially selected until after the World Cup.

"We can't leave it too long," said Midgley. "We can't afford to be without a top-class overseas player for the first five or six weeks."

The other overseas signing, paceman Dewald Pretorius, has been unable to press his claims for a South African Test recall because of a side strain. But he is now fit again.

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