Durham announce 2009 squad

Shivnarine Chanderpaul was a key member of the Durham side that reached Twenty20 finals day

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County champions Durham have agreed a deal for ICC cricketer of the year Shivnarine Chanderpaul to return to the Riverside next season.

The West Indies batsman, part of the Stanford Superstars team in Antigua earlier this month, has had two stints as Durham’s overseas player and has committed to a third spell in 2009.

The dates of his availability will be decided in due course, in accordance with his international commitments.

Title-winning skipper Dale Benkenstein and Australian opener Michael Di Venuto have also signed deals until 2011.

Durham academy graduates Ben Harmison, Phil Mustard, Graham Onions, Liam Plunkett and Mark Stoneman have also agreed terms to stay at the club until 2011.

Gareth Breese, Mitchell Claydon, Kyle Coetzer, Mark Davies, Gordon Muchall, Will Smith and Callum Thorp will be at the club until at least the end of 2010.

Leg-spinner Scott Borthwick, who made his Twenty20 debut this season, has been offered his first professional contract which will see also him at Chester-le-Street until the end of 2010.

Chief Executive David Harker said: “The players have worked incredibly hard to get the squad to where they are today and are understandably keen to work with us to ensure that Durham’s future on the pitch continues to be a bright one.

“With both the first and second team bringing championship trophies back to Riverside we now have to build on and maintain the core of the successful team, continuing to nurture the young talent we have brought through our academy.”