FORMER Durham skipper Dale Benkenstein has replaced Pakistan star Shahid Afridi as the Dolphins’ overseas professional for the rest of the South African domestic season.

Benkenstein, 35, is contracted to Durham for a further three years and they have talked to him about moving into a coaching or management role once his playing days are over.

He has settled in the county with his wife and three young children and planned to spend the whole winter in the North-East after choosing to opt out of any possible future involvement with the Indian Cricket League.

But he was approached by the Dolphins’ coach, Graham Ford, after Afridi failed to secure a release from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Ford, the former Kent coach, got in touch with his long-standing friend after Benkenstein performed well as captain of the South African Seniors side at a fourteam event in the West Indies.

Ford said: “It’s fantastic to have Dale back in our fold. He is an experienced player who has played all over the world with success.”

Benkenstein captained Natal for eight years from the age of 22 and in his three years as Durham captain he led them to the Friends Provident Trophy in 2007 and their first county title the following year.

He will team up with Durham in Abu Dhabi at the end of March, when they have arranged four one-day games either side of the four-day match against the MCC.

Two of the one-day games will be against Surrey and Sussex and two against local teams.