DURHAM begin their final game of the County Championship season at home to Kent today, with first-team coach Will Gidman claiming the last few weeks have proved the county’s future is in safe hands.

A combination of injury and international call-ups have deprived Durham of a host of senior players in the last month or so with Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse all having been unavailable.

Sixteen-year-old pace bowler James Minto and his fellow quick, 19-year-old Daniel Hogg, played in last week’s Championship defeat to Surrey at the Kia Oval, and the pair are likely to retain their places in the team to face Kent.

Another teenager, 19-year-old Luke Robinson, has also been named in the squad for the next four days, and will make his first-class debut if selected in the starting XI.

Durham have a proud record of bringing through homegrown youngsters, starting way back in the days of Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmison, and Gidman is delighted to see the next generation getting their chance to shine.

“There are mixed feelings after the Surrey game,” said Gidman, who is part of the senior coaching team working under head coach Ryan Campbell. “On one hand, we’re disappointed that we created opportunities to get ourselves right in the game which we couldn't quite take, but on the flip side, with such a young attack, it was good that we were able to create those opportunities.

“We were beaten by the better team, a team with plenty of momentum. But it was a fantastic experience for young guys like Daniel Hogg and James Minto. Thinking about the big picture, the future of Durham cricket is so bright with youngsters like those two around.

“We now go again against Kent, as we look to finish the season on a high and back to winning ways for our members and fans. It has been a fantastic return to Division One and we are looking forward to Thursday against Kent.”

Durham head into the final round of fixtures secure in mid-table, sitting in fifth position in the Division One table. Their opponents, Kent, were relegated last week after claiming just one Championship victory all season.

Alex Lees will captain the side after Scott Borthwick was ruled out of the final two games of the season with an elbow injury, while Emilio Gay remains with Durham having joined on loan for the final two games of the season ahead of a permanent move from Northamptonshire. Ben Raine misses out due to the imminent birth of his child.