VALUE for money will be high on Durham's list of priorities as they seek a replacement for overseas player John Hastings.
They have already been beaten by Kent to the signing of South African paceman Kagisa Rabada, although the fact that he was available for only the first six weeks was not ideal.
“We prefer to have someone for the full season, but it's unlikely we will find a player of the required standard who can come for six months,” admitted coach Jon Lewis.
Hastings turned his back on the Indian Premier League to devote himself to Durham last year, but it is believed the Australian selectors have leaned on him to gain more IPL experience.
He also needs an operation on his left shoulder, which troubled him towards the end of last summer after his heavy workload with Durham.
“He can manage four-over spells,” said Lewis. “So he will probably go to the Twenty20 World Cup, followed by the IPL until late May. Then he expects to have the surgery, with a recovery period of three months. So it's unlikely we are going to see him.
“It's a blow, but it's been coming for a while, since it was established he couldn't get through four-day cricket. He has since become an integral part of Australia's white ball plans.
“They are big shoes to fill. We had a good deal with John, which wasn't costing us an exorbitant amount of money. We have to spend the pennies wisely.”
The fact that the purse strings remain tight has ruled out a pre-season overseas trip for Durham, who will spend a few days away in the UK before playing a two-day friendly against Kent at Canterbury, starting on March 31.
Durham have also ended their interest in signing Pakistani Shoaib Malik for T20 cricket because his other commitments would have restricted his appearances too severely.
Lewis said it was “not inconceivable” that they would approach their 2005 skipper Mike Hussey for T20 purposes after his remarkable performance in Australia's Big Bash at the age of 41.
His brother, David, is also believed to be available, although Lewis stressed that finding a replacement for Hastings is the priority.
It doesn't have to be a bowler as it was clear last season that it was the batting which needed strengthening. Gordon Muchall was kept on after being told he would probably be released, while skipper Paul Collingwood decided to play on past his 40th birthday.
Jack Burnham's three centuries at the Under 19s World Cup give reason for optimism, but it remains a big step up to regular championship cricket.
Durham hope to have a strong attack available at the start of the season, with Mark Wood supporting Chris Rushworth and Graham Onions.
Paul Coughlin, who impressed at the start of last season before missing the second half, will also be fit by April, while Jamie Harrison and Usman Arshad leave next week for ten days in Spain with the Tom Maynard Foundation.
“They will have coaching from Matt Maynard and Ian Harvey, which will stand them in good stead,”said Lewis.
“Mark Wood has just got back from Potchefstroom in South Africa and the reports yesterday were that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from his ankle surgery.
“He's not contracted to us any more, but England want him ready for the first Test against Sri Lanka on May 20 and they will want him to have a few four-day games before then.
“We can expect to get more out of our younger bowlers now they are a year older and stronger, so for an overseas player we are looking at who's available and what fits us best. We haven't made a decision yet.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here