DURHAM have finalised their deal with World Cup finalist Javagal Srinath, who will be joining them on April 20, three days before their season starts at Taunton.

The 33-year-old Indian paceman will deputise for the first month for Martin Love, who is in the Australian squad to tour the West Indies.

Srinath, who plays in the final against Australia tomorrow, played at the Riverside in 1995, taking two for nine in six overs for Gloucestershire in a NatWest match against Durham. Although he missed the game against Durham at Bristol, he took 87 championship wickets at 19.09 that season.

Asked why Durham were replacing a batsman with a bowler, coach Martyn Moxon explained: "Circumstances have changed since the end of last season with Vince Wells adding experience to the batting.

"Also there's a possibility that Steve Harmison will get an England contract and we're not sure how much he will be available.

"Things have turned out quite well because our other overseas man, Dewald Pretorius, is going on a South Africa A tour to Australia and will miss the first match."

With Jon Lewis continuing as captain for a third season, Durham have appointed Paul Collingwood as vice-captain.

They have also handed development contracts to academy products Gary Scott, Liam Plunkett, Graham Onions and James Lowe, while Ian Pattison continues on a similar deal.

They will join the bulk of the squad for three days of pre-season work at the Old Trafford indoor school starting on Monday, although Collingwood and Harmison will be left behind for further rest, along with Gordon Muchall, who flew home from national academy duties yesterday.

Among others who have recently returned from playing in Australia are Nicky Peng, Mark Davies, Nicky Hatch, Pattison, Scott and reserve wicketkeeper Phil Mustard. Onions has spent time at Port Elizabeth's academy.

Everyone is fit apart from all-rounder Chris Mann, who missed last season with a shoulder problem and could need further surgery.

"The players have worked hard during the winter," said Moxon. "We are now hoping for three good days at Old Trafford followed by outdoor practice if this weather continues. The young batsmen had some tough experience last season which should stand them in good stead and we signed Vince Wells to help them with his experience.

"He will bat in the middle order, but he could open in the one-day games and we are keen to learn from the sort of input he can provide from having won two championships with Leicestershire.

"We have done a lot of work with Ian Hunter and if he continues to bowl as he is at the moment we could see some big strides from him this season.

"Davies and Hatch have come back from Australia looking strong, and we are looking for gradual improvement from all the youngsters.

"If the experienced players can play to the best of their ability that will help the young ones."

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