2006 line-up complete

Coetzer - full place
By Jon Steer
October 24 2005

Durham County Cricket Club have announced that thay have signed Mick Lewis as their second overseas player alongside Mike Hussey and that the squad for 2006 is now complete. Earlier this week Gary Pratt agreed a one year extension to his contract and a number of academy players received contracts.

Mick Lewis played five championship matches for Durham last season as cover for the injured Ashley Noffke. He took 31 wickets in those five games and impressed everyone at the club.

Durham fans were relieved to hear that England's Ashes here Gary Pratt had signed a one year extension to his contract depsite interest from other counties. Pratt ended the season strongly in the one day form of the game but didn't manage to break into the championship squad.

Development players Kyle Coetzer, Ben Harmison, James Lowe, Garry Park and Gary Scott have all agreed professional contracts.

Of the five, Gary Scott saw the most first team action this season when he was drafted into the openers role when Jon Lewis and Mike Hussey were unavailable. He played 7 championship matches scoring juast over 300 runs with a highest score of 61 not out.

The other four all represented Durham against Bangladesh 'A' this season. Lowe made 36 opening the innings but it didn't go so well for Ben Harmison who was out first ball coming in a number three. Garry Park wore the keepers gloves and also scored a useful 32 in the biggest partnership of the innings alongside Callum Thorp. Coetzer got off to a good start but was run out for 16 having faced just 22 balls.

With James Lowe also a strong performer with the gloves, there is now strong competition for the keeper/batsman spot in the team.

Martyn Moxon will hope that his 22 man squad will perform well enough for Durham to impress following promotion into the first division of both competitions.