IN cricket's lexicon a chinaman is a left-arm spinner's googly - something as rare as Chinese cricketers. But that could be about to change, with Durham's help.

A four-strong delegation from the Shanghai Cricket Association was present at the Emirates Durham ICG yesterday as their president, Yiyi Chen, signed a document with Durham's chairman, Clive Leach.

The two parties have entered into a partnership which, in Leach's words, will put Durham "in the vanguard of the growth of cricket in China".

There has long been a Shanghai Cricket Club for expatriates, but the association was formed in 2008 and is developing the sport in schools from primary level upwards and into universities.

The partnership was initiated by a conversation Durham's chief executive David Harker had with Yanhong Bi, who works for a Newcastle-based company called Beyond Management, who facilitate relations between England and China.

"She did some work on our behalf and when the university over there expressed great enthusiasm we took it from there," said Harker.

"I was aware that the Chinese women's team had done well in the Asia Cup and the men's team also play in it.

"We pride ourselves on being a progressive club and we want to help to promote and develop the game in China. I would be delighted if they produced a player good enough to play for Durham, but that's not the motivation.

"At the moment Shanghai have only two level two coaches, who absolutely love what they are doing. There could be opportunities there for some of our players in the future.

"On the commercial front we could export our expertise and sell some playing kit. But we're not trying to follow the football model of opening a cafe on the high street and selling shirts."

Two 18-year-old Chinese players spent time at Chester-le-Street this summer and Durham's academy coach, John Windows, said: "They were brilliant in the indoor nets, but when we put them into a friendly match they didn't know what to do.

"They had learnt from watching videos and YouTube and we were really impressed by their technical skills and athleticism."

Leach added: "China has done extraordinarily well in the last 20 years. They learn quickly. The Shanghai Cricket Association are leading the game's growth in China and we have been chosen to help them move forward.

"We are now recognised as one of the top sides in the country and we will have a global audience next year with the Ashes Test.

"There are 27 million people in Shanghai with 28,000 students and they are very sports-centric. Cricket is taking off and it's beneficial for us to be involved."