DURHAM newcomer Nathan Astle is already looking forward to the Twenty20 Cup, and little wonder after the three-day stalemate against Durham University.

After looking sharp in everything they have done so far this season, Durham could hardly be blamed for letting their standards slip against the students, who showed little adventure until it seemed they couldn't lose.

Set a target of 308 to win, they sauntered to 106 for one in 36 overs at tea and when they did belatedly try to press on they lost wickets to the spinners, closing on 261 for nine. Graeme Bridge took four for 54 in 18 overs.

Durham must now strive to resume normal service when they try to consolidate top spot in the totesport League second division in matches against Kent at Tunbridge Wells tomorrow and Surrey at The Oval on Monday.

Astle and Ashley Noffke will be making their competitive debuts for the county, but Astle feels the highlight of his six-week stay could be the Twenty20 Cup, starting on June 22.

"We haven't tried it in New Zealand yet, except when we played Australia and I was injured," he said.

"It seems to have taken off here and I gather it's played in a great atmosphere. I think it might be the best form of one-day cricket because there aren't too many rules.

"With 45 or 50 overs it can get quite boring in the middle of the innings, but we are entertainers and we have to keep the crowd happy."

Asked about the prospect of going in with Phil Mustard, who has been Durham's Twenty20 opener in its first two seasons, Astle said: "That could be quite exciting.

"From what I've seen against the university he's an entertaining young man. He obviously has very good hand-eye co-ordination and hits the ball very cleanly. When he hits it, it stays hit, so it would be interesting to be at the other end."

Astle, who has played in 71Tests, is happy to open for Durham in all forms of the game, even though he has little experience of it in first-class cricket.

"I'm filling in for Mike Hussey and there's no point in changing the order around," he said. "The team have been going well and to ask someone to jump up the order might upset things.

"It's different for me coming off the field and having to go straight back out again, but I've opened a lot in one-day cricket and I reckon you just have to be a bit more selective and leave more balls in the longer game.

"Mike has left us in a strong position, so we want to carry on the good work so he can come back and finish off. This six-week period suits me because I've had a bit of time off and when I go back we're off to Zimbabwe.

"I would like to play a full season of county cricket to get fully involved and get to know the guys better, but the Durham lads have made me very welcome."

At 33, Astle's only previous experience of county cricket was six weeks with Nottinghamshire at the end of the 1997 season. He was unable to take up a contract with Derbyshire because of a knee injury, on which he had an operation 18 months ago.

"I've always enjoyed bowling but it has taken a while to get back into it," he said. "I don't have much pace so I have to vary it a bit, and I try to swing it away. Someone of my pace can be effective in one-day cricket, but the slower the pitch the more effective I will be."

Durham scored at four an over yesterday morning before declaring their second innings at lunchtime at 258 for seven.

Jon Lewis added ten to his overnight 58 before driving to cover, Nicky Peng skied an attempted pull to mid-on, and skipper Dale Benkenstein initially struggled.

Out for nought in the first innings, he got off the mark with an edged four then played and missed several times before he began to locate the middle of the bat.

The lack of imagination in the students' cricket was again reflected by an unnecessarily long spell for left-armer Glen Read, who bowled 14 overs before making way for leg-spinner James Morris.

Lee Daggett also had a long wait for a bowl, coming on just as Benkenstein was moving into top gear and being pulled for six in his first over.

The South African added seven fours and reached 53 off 79 balls before driving to extra cover.

Gareth Breese was very well taken down the leg side by wicketkeeper Peter Howells and Ashley Noffke showed scant regard for his first-class average by driving the fourth ball he faced straight to long-off.

University captain Will Smith confirmed his first-class pedigree by making 92 before he was bowled by Breese as the students finally tried to press on.

There were two more wickets for the off-spinner and David Balcombe was run out before the final pair hung on.

* The Durham box office will be open this weekend for the sale of tickets for the second Test against Bangladesh, starting on Friday. Fewer than 500 remain for the first two days. The number is (0191) 387 5151 and the office will be open today (2-5pm), tomorrow (10am-4pm) and Monday (9am-5pm).

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