DURHAM have released 22-year-old former England Under 19 all-rounder Ian Pattison but retained all their other non-overseas players from last season's staff of 18.

The previous year's clear-out left them looking threadbare at times, forcing them to call up Sunderland University student Pallav Kumar for two championship games. Kumar's registration will not be renewed.

Pattison, from Ryhope, made his Durham Academy debut in 1997 and his first-class debut in a heavy defeat by Glamorgan at Riverside in 2002.

He made his highest score of 62 against Yorkshire at Headingley, which proved to be his only appearance in 2003 as a shoulder injury suffered when bowling in the same match ended his season.

He played in three championship matches last season, making a top score of 33 against Glamorgan at Riverside, but taking only two wickets.

Durham expect to announce two new signings shortly, one of whom is believed to be South African one-day international Dale Benkenstein.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is to return to play for Lancashire next season.

The world's leading Test wicket-taker with 532 has had two spells at Old Trafford, in 1999 and 2001, and will be available only for the first half of next season because of international commitments.

He has taken 166 wickets at an average of 15 in 14 first-class matches for the Red Rose and will be a tough prospect for Division Two batsmen following Lancashire's relegation this summer.

Muralitharan is recovering after surgery on a shoulder injury but Lancashire will hope he is back to his best next season to spearhead their bid for promotion back to the top flight.

''It's great to have Murali on board. He is an obvious leader in world cricket and will provide an added edge,'' said cricket manager Mike Watkinson.

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