Durham

Big year for

Steve Harmison. He should be at the peak of his career. Instead England need proof of his well-being

Captain

Dale Benkenstein

Coach

Geoff Cook

2007

Championship 2nd (D1)

Pro40 1st (D2)

Friends Provident winners

Twenty20 5th in North group

In Luke Evans (2nd XI), Lee Goddard (Derbys), Albie Morkel (SA), Neil McKenzie (SA), Mark Stoneman (2nd XI)

Out Ottis Gibson (ret),

Overseas Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI), Neil McKenzie (SA), Albie Morkel (SA)

Indian effect

Albie Morkel, the six-hitting South African (and brother of Morne, who has signed for Yorkshire) was one of the surprise expensive signings in the IPL, fetching a bid of $675,000 from Chennai Super Kings. Suitably he teams up with Durham Dynamos in time for their Twenty20 campaign in June.

Pinning their hopes on

Ben Harmison. If Harmi Jr makes the grade as a batsman, perhaps a bit of friendly family rivalry will do the trick for Steve. Michael Di Venuto, who has retired from Australian first-class cricket, plays as a European on an Italian passport and will still score heavily.

Foreign flavor

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, a West Indian batsman of exceptional diligence, rocks up once Twenty20 departs and then will attempt to attach himself to the crease for the rest of the summer.

Well I never

The 24-year-old all-rounder Kyle Coetzer had football trials at Aberdeen.

Bob Willis' verdict

One of my tips for relegation. They punched above their weight last season and they could struggle this year. Their survival could hinge on Steve Harmison.