NEW coach Martyn Moxon signed a three-year contract at the Riverside yesterday and said: "Durham is now my county."

Born in Barnsley and now living just outside Wetherby with his wife and two children, Moxon spent 20 years as player and coach with Yorkshire and the sudden split has sent shockwaves through the Broad Acres.

"It's important to stress it has nothing to do with money," he said. "There was a difference of opinion between myself and certain Yorkshire officials.

"They say the cost of redeveloping Headingley won't affect the playing resources. Let's hope that's the case.

"The response from the public since I announced I was leaving has been humbling. It's nice to know there are a few people who appreciate what I have done and what I've been trying to do."

Flak seems certain to fly at Yorkshire's AGM in March, but Moxon will take no notice. He will be in Sri Lanka from March 13-28 helping to coach the England one-day squad, then he has just over two weeks to get Durham ready for the new season.

"I just want to throw myself into my new job," he said. "It's a tremendous challenge at a forward-looking club with huge potential.

"I saw the fax advertising the job at Headingley and it appealed to me. I didn't apply for any other jobs."

Durham were surprised and delighted to find Moxon among the 25 applicants to succeed Norman Gifford and although they drew up a shortlist of three, the former England opener stood out.

At 40 he is felt to be the right age to work with a young side and he has already made a big enough impression as a coach to break into the England set-up.

He is a big admirer of England coach Duncan Fletcher and feels he has already picked up things from the Zimbabwean which can be of benefit to Durham.

"Duncan's very organised and studies other sports to see how their techniques can be applied to cricket," he said.

"He talks one-to-one with players in practice and makes them feel very much part of the team.

"His thoroughness and the way he runs practice is something I want to match. I like to be organised and have things done properly.

"I'm also very much into the mental side of the game. When I was a player you were left to sort it out yourself, but it's important to help players deal with situations as they arise.

"They have to be able to handle pressure, stay in control and have a clear mind to think about how to tackle the situation. This is a massive area.

"Another major part of the role is to get people to know their own games and how they best perform. You have to know what you are trying to do before you try to do it.

"You need to have discipline. But I don't expect to have to impose things like curfews. Professional players should know what time they need to be in bed in order to get the best out of themselves."

Moxon has spoken by telephone to Durham's new captain Jon Lewis, who is playing in South Africa, and they are not expecting any difficulties in integrating Nick Speak back into the squad.

Speak did not play again after being deposed as captain in late August last season, but Moxon said: "As far as I'm concerned the slate is clean and I'm looking forward to working with all the players here.

"I'm not coming in saying we need this, that and the other because I need to weigh everything up first. I think I can coach bowlers pretty well, but if I decide I need some help on that side then we'll look into it.

"Attempts to improve pitches will mean we need variation in our bowling attack and we will have to look at the spin area.

"Seam tends to dominate in early season but you need to keep your spinners in nick. They need to bowl regularly and I hope to give them some confidence. I have worked with Graeme Bridge with England Under 19s and he looked a useful bowler."

While Moxon is ambitious, he has told Durham he does not want any involvement with England next summer to affect his work at the Riverside.

He starts work on February 1 and while several Durham players are abroad he will meet the rest as soon as possible.

He has been assured that an indoor school is very much in the pipeline, but in the meantime is praying for fine weather when he returns from Sri Lanka to allow the players to practise outdoors.

"We have to get the best possible preparation," he said. "Then the first target will be to get back into Division One. The next aim will be to stay there, and with the development structure in place here and the talent coming through I see no reason why we shouldn't achieve that."

l Gordon Muchall batted himself into the reckoning for a place in the second under-19 Test against India with a polished 48 not out as England's tour match against South Zone in Chennai ended in a draw.

With batting places available ahead of the Test, which starts on Saturday, Durham Academy star Muchall has put himself right in the frame for a call-up.

England coach Tim Boon said: ''Gordon played very well and there are definitely places up for grabs.