CHAIRMAN of selectors David Graveney will be the chief speaker when Durham's Simon Brown launches his benefit season with a dinner at the Riverside on February 2.

Graveney, who gave the left-arm seamer his one England cap against Pakistan at Lord's in 1996, was Durham's captain during their first two seasons in first-class cricket.

"He has agreed to be president of my benefit," said 31-year-old Brown. "He's still very popular up here and hopefully the members will be keen to hear him speak at the dinner.

"I don't resent him only giving me one cap. It would have been nice to have another crack at playing for England, but I don't think it will happen now."

With 136 appearances, Boldon-born Brown has played far more first-class games than anyone else for Durham. His 502 wickets also leave him well ahead of the field, the next best being John Wood (250) and Melvyn Betts (223) and both have now left.

Wood's move to Lancashire means that Brown and Jimmy Daley are the only survivors from Durham's original first-class staff in 1992, and as Brown also played in the final season of Minor Counties cricket he has completed ten years with the club.

Showing remarkable consistency, there have been only two seasons in which he has not taken 50 first-class wickets for Durham - and in one of those he played only once because of injury. Brown had played for Northamptonshire, but admits that he might have drifted out of the game had Durham not come along.

"They got into first-class cricket at just the right time for me," he said. "It's a smashing place to play and I've certainly enjoyed it.

"It's hard to believe ten years have gone by, but I feel as fit as I've ever done and hopefully I can manage a few more seasons yet."

In Durham's early years, when bowling resources were thin, Brown had a huge burden to shoulder. But he doesn't fear a return to those days following the loss of Betts and Wood.

"Two have gone, but two have come in and people like Ian Hunter should get more chances," he said. "Ian is off to the Dennis Lillee School in Madras shortly for two weeks, and if he can build on the promise he showed last year he should do well."

Brown himself is also heading for two weeks in the sun in March, hosting a party who are going to watch the final Test between Sri Lanka and England followed by some one-day internationals.

He was asked to do the job when Durham's own pre-season tour to Sri Lanka was called off through lack of support. Some of the members who did express interest are going on the England tour instead.

Meanwhile, he is helping his benefit committee to organise events. As a 12-handicap member of Boldon Golf Club he is planning a golf day, and there will be more dinners plus a lunch at the House of Commons.

"A few local cricket clubs have said they are interested in doing something and it would be great to take the Durham players around the county for a few games," he said. "But I have to be wary about making too many demands on their spare time.

"My committee have been excellent. There will be a lot going on and my time will be taken up. But I have to put that to one side when we start playing and not let it affect my game."

John Morris, the first Durham player to have a benefit two years ago, made about £80,000 and as a longer-serving player and a local lad Brown ought to be able to top that. He certainly deserves to.

l Tickets for the black tie dinner cost £30 and are available from benefit committee secretary David Martin on 01740 658500