PRIOR to Kyle Coetzer's excellent debut for Durham it was interesting to hear him say he wished Scotland all the best but had little further interest in playing for them.

Why would he? In fact, what is the point of Scotland playing in the totesport League if they are not going to encourage talented young Scots?

Majid Haq may not sound very Scottish, but he was born in Paisley and looked a first-class prospect last season when he took four for 36 with his off-spin at Riverside and scored 55 not out against Durham at The Grange.

But now he can't get into a side which against Durham last week included only four Scots - skipper Colin Smith, former Durham University student Dougie Lockhart, Craig Wright and Ian Stanger. And none of those are aged below 28.

Nor are they helping their cause by employing a public address announcer who shouts things like: "Oh come on, umpire." John Holder was distinctly unamused.

AFTER going back to Stockton for the first time for four years last season, Durham are playing all their home games at Riverside this year. But they might need to go to an outground next year if they have any home games between late May and June 23.

It has been confirmed that the second Test against Bangladesh will start at Chester-le-Street on June 3, and it will be followed on June 23 by a day/night one-day international between England and Australia.

Unless Hartlepool comes back on to the rota, Durham are likely to go back to their happy hunting ground at Feethams for the first time for three years.

SCORER Brian Hunt faces a hectic few days. While the team move on today to Brighton, where they play Sussex in a floodlit match on Wednesday, Hunt will catch a train back to Durham in order to score for England in tomorrow's one-day international.

He will then leave Darlington on the first available train on Wednesday and is due to arrive at Brighton at 2.10, two hours before the floodlit match starts.

"It's a pity the train strike is off, otherwise they would have had to fly me down," he said.

DURHAM showed they are prepared to go for the best when they enquired about the possibility of signing Australian paceman Glenn McGrath for a few matches at the end of the season. But he has opted to join Middlesex instead.

Durham still cannot be certain if or when they will need a replacement for Shoaib Akhtar as the ever-changing situation in Pakistan cricket could alter again with the appointment of Bob Woolmer as coach.

FORGOTTEN man Gavin Hamilton could make his comeback on Thursday in the one-day Second X1 Trophy game away to Nottinghamshire.

The former Yorkshire all-rounder played in Durham's first two championship games of the season but damaged tendons in a thumb required an operation and he has been out since April 24.

Although Durham's A team, as they are now styled, are bottom of the Second X1 Championship, they won their first three games in the Second X1 Trophy last week.

AS if they didn't have enough troubles, Durham have had to cope with Trevor Jesty umpiring in two of their last three championship matches. They will be glad to know he is not due to officiate in any more of their four-day games this season.

Matters were made even worse at Sophia Gardens by the presence of former Leicestershire and Glamorgan all-rounder John Steele at the other end. When Graeme Bridge appealed for lbw against David Hemp on Friday, Steele had no hesitation in raising his finger to the almost vertical before changing his mind.

WHEN Durham made 407 for four on Thursday the only help they got from extras was one leg bye. There had been six further leg byes, but no other sundries, by the time they were all out for 466.

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