WILL YOUNG will remain with Durham for the County Championship game with Worcestershire that gets under way at Emirates Riverside this morning, with Cameron Bancroft’s return to the side having been delayed because of visa issues.

Bancroft is set for a second season as Durham’s main overseas player, but his arrival into England from Australia was delayed because of visa issues and he has only had one day’s training with the rest of James Franklin’s first-team squad.

As a result, Franklin has opted to leave him out of the side for this week’s game at Emirates Riverside, with Young having been given permission from the New Zealand authorities to extend his stay with Durham for another week.

Young will therefore make his final Durham appearance against Worcestershire before heading off to join up with the Black Caps’ Test squad on May 17.

“Cameron has just come out of quarantine today, so he has been training at the ground for a bit of a run out, having been in quarantine for five days,” said Franklin. “We came to a conclusion, having spoken with Cameron that one day’s prep, wasn’t ideal.

“We have been very lucky that Will Young is still here, and New Zealand cricket have given him permission for him to be available for this game. It works well for us all, one day’s prep for Cameron wasn’t ideal to go into a County Championship game.

“Will has fitted in perfectly since he has joined the club, so we are really pleased that he is still here. It’s not just the 100 (in the win over Warwickshire), but he has the confidence boost going into the final game against Worcestershire.”

England international Mark Wood remains with Durham, and will play this week as he continues his own preparations for the forthcoming international series against New Zealand.

Durham secured their first win of the season last time out when they beat Warwickshire by an innings and 127 runs, and will be looking to build on that success over the next four days.

A victory could lift the North-Easterners into the top two spots in Group One of the County Championship, a group which is immensely tight heading towards the halfway stage.

Matt Salisbury comes into the squad of 14, having been rested for the Warwickshire, but his promotion is the only alteration to an otherwise unchanged squad.

“Most of the guys have had a good four or five day off since the Warwickshire game, just having some time away from cricket, after a fairly busy four to five weeks,” added Franklin. “They had a few hits last week and have been training well this week with some good preparation going into this game.

“We have to make sure we hit the ground running, sometimes after a bit of a break, it takes some time to get back into it, so we have to be on it. Worcestershire have been batting well, but we have to keep our process and do well what we have done in the first four games of the season.”

Yorkshire are also in action today as they head to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff to take on Glamorgan.

The White Rose are currently sitting in second position in Group Three of the Championship, seven points adrift of their Roses rivals Lancashire.