Durham sign Gareth Breese

By Jon Steer
September 26 2003

Durham today announced that they have signed off spinner Gareth Breese for next season on a one year contract. Breese had played a number of times for the second XI this season, so was always a likely signing.

Breese has played one test match for the West Indies and has been Jamaica's leading wicket taker for the last two years. He does not count as an overseas player for Durham as he qualifies as a British Citizen.

With Durham releasing Nicky Phillips last week, it was almost certain that they had a spinner lined up as a new signing and Breese who had already been practising with the first team was the obvious candidate.

Breese averages 22 with the ball in first class matches with a strike rate of just under 60. He is also a competent middle order batsmen, averaging just under 30.

Last season for Jamaica Breese took 28 wickets in 7 matches at 22.85 runs per wicket and a best of 4-74. He had a good season with the bat scoring 335 runs at an average of 37 with 4 fifties and a highest score of 98.

Breese will be playing cricket for Jamaica over the winter as one of their overseas players and will join the club for pre-season training in March.