NEW ZEALAND all-rounder James Franklin is Durham’s new Lead High Performance Coach.

He has joined the club on a two-year contract and will arrive at Emirates Riverside next month, in time for the club’s pre-season preparations.

Franklin – who played 31 Test Matches and 110 ODI’s for New Zealand and is currently a coaching consultant at Brisbane Heat in the BBL - will be joined by Durham stalwarts Neil Killeen and Alan Walker who have also penned new deals.

Killeen has been appointed High Performance Bowling Coach and Walker will become High Performance Assistant Coach with a focus the second XI.

The Northern Echo:

Both will work alongside Franklin and will be joined by a high-performance batting consultant, completing the club’s new coaching structure.

Franklin said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the coaching programme at Durham Cricket and I cannot wait to join up with the playing squad and the rest of the support staff.

“There is no doubt that it has been a challenging couple of years for Durham but now it is about moving forward, making progress both on and off the field and once again striving to make Durham one of the powers of the English domestic competition.”

“Having been in discussions with Tim and Marcus recently, it is very apparent what their ambitions for the club are and how excited they are with what the future might hold for Durham with the young, dynamic playing group we have here.”

“I really hope we can make all our loyal, passionate supporters proud of us as a club as we work incredibly hard to achieve our goals for 2019 and beyond.”

Director of Cricket Marcus North said: “Following an extensive recruitment process it became clear that James was by far the best fit for Durham.’’

Chief Executive Tim Bostock said: “We’re delighted that James has joined the club and I firmly believe he has the skills and cricket experience to drive this club forward.”

“The new coaching structure, which includes Neil [Killeen] and Alan [Walker] will give the club clearer direction and we’re delighted with the work we have done during the winter.”