DURHAM'S pursuit of a replacement for Mitchell Johnson in their Twenty20 squad looks like being scuppered by the ECB rule book.

Durham officials have looked at a number of players since learning of Johnson's unavailability because of international commitments, and their latest target is Australian all-rounder John Hastings.

However, Hastings hasn't played since having a shoulder operation late last year, and his 11 one-day internationals are understood to leave him just short of meeting the ECB's requirements for registering a new overseas man.

Johnson was ruled out by his inclusion in the Australia squad to play five one-day internationals against England from June 29-July 10, one of which will take place at Durham Emirates ICG.

He will also be on these shores with the Australia A party, who start their tour in late July and play Durham on August 1-3.

This is just one more tour in a packed programme which makes it very difficult to find available overseas men of the required quality.

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PAUL Collingwood is unlikely to get another opportunity to play in South Africa's domestic Twenty20 tournament, which will revert to a six-franchise event next season.

The new team he captained this year, Impi, will not be retained after failing to win a game. Cricket South Africa identified the manner in which the franchise was assembled as the main reason for its failure.

Impi's squad selection depended on the six existing franchises making players available to them. They also had problems firming up their overseas contingent.

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HE is best known as the man who stands outside St James' Park interviewing Newcastle United supporters for Sky Sports News, but David Craig will undergo an even greater challenge for charity next week.

Craig is a keen horse racing enthusiast, and fronts Sky Sports News' coverage at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals as well as Royal Ascot.

On Saturday, June 16, he will ride in a mile-and-one-furlong flat race at York Racecourse to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

To sponsor David, log on to www.justgiving.com/David-Craig1.

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HE once refused to join Newcastle United because it was too far north, but Harry Redknapp was in the region this week displaying his golfing talents.

The Tottenham boss was at Slaley Hall on Wednesday competing in the pro-am before the PGA Seniors Championships on the Northumberland course.

Jamie Redknapp was also playing in the event, along with former England cricket international Andrew Flintoff.